Leader of the Kwankwasiya Movement and former Kano State governor, Kwankwaso, openly backed the zoning arrangement, describing it as a bold step towards fairness, equity, and national inclusion.
Kwankwaso said, “I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South in the interest of fairness, equity, and national inclusion.
“This presents a true opportunity for national healing and genuine nation-building,” he said.
Kwankwaso said Nigeria was currently facing a severe leadership crisis marked by insecurity, economic decline, and institutional collapse.
“There has been a sharp decline in the quality of governance. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the country. Millions have been displaced from their homes. Investments are fleeing while critical infrastructure is neglected,” he said.
According to him, the country was once again in need of a broad national alliance similar to historic coalitions that shaped Nigeria’s First Republic.
“Our party is committed to fairness and federal character in all ramifications,” he added, while urging Nigerians to register with INEC and support the NDC ahead of 2027.
National Leader of the party and former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, accused the ruling establishment of shrinking democratic space and intimidating opposition parties.
“The Nigerian opposition landscape is heavily compromised, intimidated, and constricted,” he said.
Dickson stated that the party endured years of legal and administrative obstacles before eventually securing registration from the INEC earlier this year.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission complied and issued us a certificate of registration in February this year,” he said.
“Contrary to propaganda, there is no appeal in any court against that decision, and INEC has duly registered our party.”
National Chairman of the party, Senator Moses Cleopas, described the convention as a defining moment in the history of the NDC and a celebration of resilience, sacrifice, and faith in democracy.
Cleopas said the party was committed to issue-based politics, internal democracy, youth inclusion, and people-oriented governance.
“We are not assembling a crowd for elections; we are building a movement for governance,” he declared.
Chuks Okocha and Sunday Aborisade
