By Jude Opara
The North-Central Renaissance Movement, (NCRM), has demanded that the Presidency should be zoned to the North-Central in 2027.
Chairman and convener of the group, Prof. K’tso Nghargbu, while briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, warned that any political party that ignores the call will pay dearly at the polls.
The group observed that the zone, comprising Niger, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara states and the FCT-Abuja, has never produced an elected President or Vice President since independence, despite its contributions to national stability.
Nghargbu said, “The North-Central geopolitical zone seeks, requests and demands that political parties cede their presidential ticket to the region”.
According to him, “patronising them (North-Central) means having their votes and despising them means losing their votes”.
“The North-Central is uniquely positioned to heal Nigeria’s growing political divisions, especially the simmering tension between elites in the far North and their counterparts in the South,” he added.
Nghargbu observed that notable leaders from the zone have already signaled intention to contest the presidential election.
He said that the North-Central is blessed with enormous political resources and human capital that are capable of addressing Nigeria’s leadership challenges and driving unity at this critical time.
The group also threw its support behind the push for independent candidacy in the Nigerian Constitution, believing that it is a remedy for the dominance of “money drunk and godfather drunk” political parties.
“Independent candidature is one of the answers Nigeria needs as it checks the excesses of political parties that deny genuine aspirants a chance,” Nghargbu added.
The NCRM insists that with the 2027 general election approaching, giving the North-Central a shot at the Presidency is not only a matter of fairness, but also a strategic move to foster peace, unity and stability across Nigeria.
