A group under the aegis of the South-North Progressive Forum, SNPF, has launched a nationwide campaign advocating fairness, equity, and the rotation of presidential power in Nigeria between the North and South.
The chairman of the forum, Festus Onyekwulisi, at a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, argued that retaining the presidency in the South in 2027 would better serve national cohesion.
He said, “Our analysis of Nigeria’s political history reveals that the North has held the presidency for about 24 years while the South has only had 18. Giving the South another four years in 2027 will correct this imbalance and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic spirit of inclusion.”
Onyekwulisi explained that beyond elite agreements on zoning, deliberate mobilisation of citizens is necessary to build a nationwide consensus.
He further stated that SNPF has established structures in over 30,000 communities and appointed coordinators to rally voters, with a target of 10 million votes for a southern candidate.
He emphasised that the forum’s philosophy of “rightful defection” encourages voters to prioritise competence, equity, and credibility over party loyalty.
While campaigning for power to remain in the South in 2027, SNPF pledged to support a northern candidate in 2031, describing it as part of its commitment to national integration.
The forum also urged all political parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to adopt fair zoning arrangements that reflect equity.
Additionally, SNPF called for legislative reforms to grant the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, full state status, in line with the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Abuja’s equal standing.
The group proposed that the FCT should have a governor, three senatorial districts, representation in the House of Representatives, and increased federal allocations.
