Vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 polls, Mr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has urged chieftains of the newly adopted African Democratic Coalition (ADC) to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise TV programme, Baba-Ahmed warned that adhering to zoning will be key to ADC’s chances of wresting power from the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He also expressed worry over the presidential ambitions of Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi if former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, decides to vie for the party ticket, which goes against the principle of zoning.
He said, “Let us come back to this unwritten understanding in Nigerian presidential politics, which is rotation.
“The North spends eight years, and the South spends eight years. I am speaking from experience because I was directly involved, and it was part of my campaign speeches in 2022-23.
“Did you realise that in 2018-19, from the two major parties, not a single Southerner even bought the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, form for presidency? What does that say? Respect, brotherhood and gentleman-ness. And, of course, Atiku contested in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and won.
“It was not a question. Buhari was the candidate of the APC, and you know, Buhari took the day eventually. Come 2022-23, Atiku was still on the ticket. Now, Peter Obi came out of the South and contested. Amaechi contested and came second in the APC. He was second to Tinubu, who is also from the South.
“So you see three leading candidates. In 2027, the default position thinking is that it should be from the South. If Atiku takes it, how will Amaechi and Peter Obi take it?”
The coalition of opposition forces, on Thursday, formally adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general elections.
