Hundreds of stakeholders and political leaders from Nigeria’s North-Central geopolitical zone have declared their united resolve to produce the country’s next president in the 2027 general elections, citing over six decades of political marginalisation.
At a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, representatives from the six North-Central states—Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, and Nasarawa—along with the Federal Capital Territory, issued a strong statement demanding greater political inclusion.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the leader of the North-Central Renaissance Movement, Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, stressed that the region’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid hinges on a key condition: he must replace his current Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, with a running mate from the North-Central zone. The group emphasized that without this concession, the region would pursue its own presidential bid in 2027.
Prof. Nghargbu K’tso underscored the historical political marginalisation of the North-Central region, noting that despite being home to Nigeria’s seat of power—the Federal Capital Territory—it has never produced a President or Vice President since independence in 1960.
He lamented that the region has continually been treated as second-class citizens, even though it has made substantial contributions to the nation.
“As Nigeria prepares to celebrate 65 years of independence on October 1, 2025, it will also mark 65 years of political exclusion for the North-Central zone,” K’tso declared.
He stressed that the region has never been given the opportunity to occupy the two highest offices in the land, despite grappling with severe challenges such as widespread insecurity, extreme poverty, and the loss of countless lives.
K’tso further pointed out that an analysis of Nigeria’s democratic leadership since 1999 shows that only the North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones have not held either of the top two executive positions. While the South-East produced Dr. Alex Ekwueme as Vice President between 1979 and 1983, the North-Central has yet to be represented at that level.
Prof. Nghargbu K’tso noted that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the North-Central region has never had the opportunity to hold the office of President or Vice President, despite making considerable sacrifices for the country. “This has to change,” he insisted.
While acknowledging the South-East’s own history of political exclusion, the coalition argued that the North-Central’s marginalisation is even more glaring, given its strategic location and its vital contributions to national development. They stressed that ceding the presidency to the region in the 2027 elections is a matter of fairness, equity, and justice.
“If the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to give President Tinubu the right of first refusal for the 2027 ticket, then we demand that his running mate must come from the North-Central,” K’tso declared. “He must replace Vice President Shettima with someone from our region. And if other political parties are truly committed to equity, they too must present presidential candidates from the North-Central zone.”
