Key Points

• North Central must produce president in 2027.

• Leaders say the region has been sidelined politically.

• Group warns exclusion could deepen national disunity.

In order to maintain national balance, fairness, and equity, a group of political and civic leaders have reaffirmed their calls for Nigeria’s North Central region to produce the country’s president in 2027.

The zone, which includes the states of Benue, Plateau, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Nasarawa as well as the Federal Capital Territory, has long contributed to national stability, according to the group, which met over the weekend in Abuja.

However, the zone has never been granted the presidency. Its leaders say that imbalance should be rectified at last in the 2027 elections.

Zone demands political recognition on an equal basis

The North Central has historically remained loyal to every government since independence and has frequently acted as a stabilizing force during times of political crisis, coalition representatives said in a statement following the meeting.

However, the region has never seen one of its own become head of state, even though it has produced a number of deputy Senate presidents and military administrators.

“The guiding concept for 2027 must be equity. One of the leaders stated, “The North Central has been neglected for far too long.”

They underlined that prior zoning agreements frequently avoided the middle-belt states completely while switching the presidency between the North and the South.

The coalition also cautioned that further divisions and a weakened sense of national unity could result from political parties ignoring the region once more.

In 2027, North Central must produce a president

The campaign is taking place as political scheming for the 2027 elections is heating up, with discussions about power-sharing and zoning influencing early discussions within major parties.

According to a report by Vanguard news, both the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are being urged by the group to give preference to North Central candidates in their presidential primaries.

“We are demanding, not pleading. One participant remarked, “This is about justice, fairness, and inclusivity.” “Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the North Central for another cycle.”

Although the demand is not new, political analysts say it represents the growing agitation of marginalized regions seeking political recognition. It’s unclear if the pressure will result in actual party tickets, but as 2027 approaches, it’s likely to get stronger.

For the time being, the coalition maintains that granting the North Central a chance to run for president is the way to ensure Nigeria’s stability in the future.