Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has explained the rationale behind the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, saying the move was aimed at preventing a repeat of the political crisis that followed the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010.
Kwankwaso said northern stakeholders within the party overwhelmingly backed the arrangement in the interest of fairness, stability and national unity.
“We are very happy that we are loyal party members. Even before we joined the party, we realised it had decided to zone the presidency for many obvious reasons,” he said.
According to him, the zoning formula would allow the South to complete a four-year tenure before power returns to the North.
“Almost all of us from the North accepted this arrangement because, as it stands now, we believe the best way forward is to take it to the South. This will help eliminate the confusion that emanated from the death of our brother and friend, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,” Kwankwaso stated.
The former governor also expressed optimism about the growth of the NDC under the leadership of former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.
“I am so happy that I joined this rapidly growing party. So far, so good, we are doing well,” he said.
Kwankwaso added that he had found common ground with several influential figures within the party, including former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
“I have met like-minds, ranging from the leader of the party, Senator Dickson, the former governor of Bayelsa State, to Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, and many other leaders. Many more are still coming,” he added.
He further disclosed that party leaders collectively agreed from the outset that zoning the presidency to the South was necessary to address the country’s current political realities.
“Right from day one, we sat down together, looked at the situation of the country, and took some major decisions, including zoning the presidency to the South,” Kwankwaso said.
