The North-Central Renaissance Movement (NCRM), a coalition advocating for the presidency to be allocated to the North-Central geopolitical zone, has urged Nigeria’s leading political parties to grant the presidential ticket-or at the very least, the vice-presidential slot-to candidates from this region in the 2027 general elections.
According to the Movement, key parties such as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risk losing significant voter support from the North-Central zone if they ignore this demand.
At a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, NCRM’s chairman and convener, Professor K’tso Nghargbu, emphasized the importance of solidarity from other geopolitical zones in backing the North-Central region’s bid for the presidency.
The coalition highlighted that since Nigeria’s independence, the North-Central zone-which includes Niger, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)-has yet to produce an elected president or vice president. They argue this zone deserves the opportunity to occupy one of the nation’s two highest offices.
Professor Nghargbu pointed out that the North-Central region possesses abundant political talent capable of addressing Nigeria’s leadership challenges, especially amid escalating tensions between northern and southern political elites.
He noted that seasoned politicians such as Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim from Kwara State, who has declared his intention to run for president under the PDP in 2027, are just the beginning, with other prominent figures from the zone expected to join the race.
“We find it necessary and responsible to reiterate our call that the North-Central geopolitical zone deserves serious consideration for the presidential ticket by political parties,” Nghargbu stated. “This appeal comes at a time when political discontent, mistrust, and rivalry between northern and southern elites are intensifying. The North-Central zone stands out as a unifying force for national cohesion.”
He further appealed to the five other geopolitical zones and Nigeria’s major political parties to support the North-Central region’s presidential aspirations, emphasizing that this request is made with a spirit of national progress and unity, free from any bias.
“This is not a threat but a firm declaration: political parties that disregard our position risk losing our votes. Nigerian voters and political stakeholders should understand that embracing the North-Central zone means securing our electoral support, while ignoring us will result in losing it,” Nghargbu warned.
He expressed confidence that this message resonates with Nigeria’s political conscience, which yearns for peace, stability, and prosperity.
Additionally, Professor Nghargbu voiced strong backing for constitutional reforms to allow independent candidacies, arguing that this would empower aspirants sidelined by party politics to pursue their ambitions freely.
“Introducing independent candidacy is a vital step toward curbing the excesses of political parties overly influenced by money and godfatherism. The North-Central Renaissance Movement fully supports this constitutional amendment,” he concluded.
