Politics: Norrh-Central Demand Vice President Slot in 2027

Political leaders and influential stakeholders from Nigeria’s North-Central region have insisted that the next presidential ticket must include a candidate from their zone, calling for an end to decades of political exclusion.

 The group declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential re-election in 2027 would only gain their support if his current running mate, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is replaced with a North-Central candidate.

During a press briefing held in Abuja, representatives from the seven North-Central states—Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory—voiced their grievances. Speaking under the platform of the North-Central Renaissance Movement, Professor Nghargbu K’tso lamented the region’s historic marginalisation in Nigeria's top executive leadership.

K’tso stressed that since independence in 1960, the North-Central has never produced either a President or Vice President, despite being home to the Federal Capital Territory. He highlighted that the region has made immense contributions to Nigeria's unity and progress, yet continues to suffer from insecurity, poverty, and neglect due to political underrepresentation.

He cited the South-East as a comparison, noting that it at least produced Dr. Alex Ekwueme as Vice President during the Second Republic, while the North-Central remains absent from the nation's highest executive offices.

The coalition called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to demonstrate fairness by offering the vice presidential ticket to the North-Central, should President Tinubu be given the right of first refusal in 2027.

“If the APC is truly committed to justice and inclusivity, Tinubu must pick his running mate from the North-Central. Otherwise, we will reconsider our support,” K’tso stated. He also urged other political parties to prioritise presidential candidates from the zone to correct the longstanding imbalance.

SOURCE: PUNCH