South-East Groups Demand 2027 Presidency, Urge Tinubu to Step Aside for Equity
A coalition of South-East advocacy organisations has called on political parties in Nigeria to zone their presidential tickets to the South-East ahead of the 2027 Nigerian General Elections, insisting that justice, fairness and national balance demand that the region produce the next President of the country.
The call was made on Monday during a special joint press conference held in Enugu by the South East Enlightenment Group, the Igbo Leadership Development Foundation, and other stakeholders within the African Democratic Congress.
Addressing journalists, the National President of the South East Enlightenment Group, Dr Godwin Udibe, said the coalition convened the briefing following the recent release of the election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to him, the timetable signals the beginning of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, making it necessary for the region to restate its long-standing demand for equity and rotation of presidential power.
Udibe argued that the South-East has remained the only geopolitical zone in southern Nigeria yet to produce a President in the current democratic dispensation.
He noted that under the Fourth Nigerian Republic, the South-West has produced the President three times, the South-South once, while the South-East has not had the opportunity.
“This reveals a frightening prospect for the South-East. The region appears to be steadily sidelined in the scheme of power play in Nigeria, with many of our people feeling alienated,” he said.
The coalition therefore urged all political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the South-East in the interest of national unity and fairness.
The groups recalled the political arrangement in 1998 when major political parties zoned their presidential tickets to the South-West following the annulment of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election.
They argued that a similar consensus would promote justice and strengthen the country’s democratic stability.
Udibe also expressed concern that the leading political platforms may not offer viable pathways for South-East aspirants.
He noted that within the All Progressives Congress, the presidential ticket appears secured for the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the African Democratic Congress has reportedly opened its race to contenders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
He further stated that both the People’s Democratic Party and the Labour Party are currently grappling with internal crises, which he described as making them “undesirable platforms for serious contenders.”
The groups also criticised what they described as a “poaching game” by the ruling APC, noting that the party currently has about 31 governors ruling on its platform across the federation.
However, Udibe argued that political defections do not necessarily translate into improved welfare for citizens in the South-East.
According to him, the development has further strengthened the resolve of regional stakeholders to pursue collective interests.
In a direct appeal, the coalition called on President Tinubu not to seek a second term in office in 2027 but instead support a South-East candidate to complete the remaining years of the South’s turn in the presidency.
“For equity’s sake, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to run for a second term in 2027 but to support a South-Easterner to clinch the presidency for a single term to complete eight years of southern presidency,” Udibe said.
He added that after such an arrangement, the presidency should return to the North in keeping with Nigeria’s informal power-rotation principle.
The coalition also warned that South-East governors who oppose the region’s presidency project could face electoral backlash.
Udibe said the groups would mobilise voters across the South-East to reject any political leader perceived to be working against the region’s collective ambition.
“We will mobilise the South-East to vote out any governor working against the South-East presidency project,” he stated.
The groups concluded by reaffirming their commitment to rallying support across Nigeria for a South-East presidential candidate in 2027, insisting that the demand is rooted in fairness, national inclusion, and democratic balance.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
