ADC leaders in the Middle Belt agreed to become president of the southern region in 2027

Leaders in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have signaled a growing consensus around a Southern presidency ahead of the 2027 general election, with key stakeholders in the Central Region advocating a rotation of power in the interests of national unity.

At a strategic meeting in Jos, Plateau State, Middle Belt leaders in the ADC announced their decision not to field a presidential candidate in 2027, opting instead to support a candidate from the South as part of efforts to promote fairness, inclusion and political balance.

The resolution was reached at the ADC Middle-Belt Cognac Strategy Conference, also known as the COPDEN/ADC Middle-Belt Strategy Conference, organized by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEN) in collaboration with the ADC.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Prince Coordinator Pam Rwang said the move was deliberate and strategic, aimed at fostering national cohesion ahead of the next election cycle.

Based on the communiqué he delivered, the election participants underlined the importance of building a coalition in winning the election rather than relying on regional forces alone.

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“A key highlight of the conference was the strong emphasis on fairness and rotating leadership.

“Delegates observed that zoning and rotation of power is already practiced at the state, regional and local government levels across the country, and must, therefore, be respected at the national and presidential levels. The Central Region will not seek to lead from the front.”

The leaders further emphasized the unique political position of the Middle Belt as an important bridge between North and South, and noted that the region will play a decisive role through alliances and not direct contestation.

The communiqué also recommended that the ADC’s presidential candidate be positioned in the South, in line with what participants described as Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of political balance and inclusion.

The conference, entitled “Nigeria at a Crossroads: Building a Green Coalition for 2027”, highlights the importance of forming broad-based alliances as political realignment begins to take shape ahead of the next general election.

With this position, Middle Belt ADC leaders are expected to influence broader coalition negotiations and potentially change the political landscape by 2027.