By Peter Omopo
As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the South-North Progressive Forum (SNPF) has launched a nationwide campaign urging all political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the South.
The forum said the move was necessary to address Nigeria’s longstanding power imbalance and foster national unity.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, SNPF Chairman, Festus Onyekwulisi, presented what he described as a data-driven case for equitable power rotation between the North and the South.
According to him, since Nigeria’s democratic journey began in 1957, the North has produced leaders who collectively governed for 24 years, while the South has held the presidency for just 18 years. He argued that granting the South another four-year term in 2027 would not only uphold fairness but also strengthen the principle of federal character.
“This is not about mere politics; it is about national integration, equity, justice, and fairness,” Onyekwulisi said. “Our vision is a Nigeria where no group dominates, but where every section has a genuine sense of belonging.”
The forum urged the National Assembly to enact legislation institutionalising power rotation for elective offices, warning that leaving the process to political elites alone was insufficient.
“It is not enough for a few political elites to agree to the zoning of 2027 presidency to the South. There must be conscious mobilisation to ensure millions of citizens, both in the South and the North, actively buy into this idea,” he added.
Onyekwulisi disclosed that the SNPF had unveiled a grassroots mobilisation plan targeting at least 10 million votes to ensure the emergence of a Southern president in 2027. He also introduced the group’s new political philosophy, dubbed “rightful defection,” which allows its non-partisan members to support any Southern candidate of their choice, regardless of political affiliation.
The forum clarified that it does not intend to transform into a political party. “This is not about politics, this is about patriotism, equity, peace, and the progress of Nigeria,” the chairman stressed.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have already zoned their tickets to the South, other parties such as the Labour Party and African Democratic Congress are yet to take a stand.
The SNPF, however, maintained that zoning the 2027 presidency to the South was non-negotiable if Nigeria must achieve lasting national stability.
