The race for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency has taken a bold new direction, with the North-Central Renaissance Movement (NCRM) making a decisive call for the political seat to be given to the North-Central zone.
This demand comes as the group asserts that the region, which includes Niger, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has never produced an elected president or vice president since Nigeria gained independence.
“It is time for us to take our rightful place in the leadership of this nation,” said Prof. K’tso Nghargbu, the chairman and convener of the NCRM. “Our zone is long overdue for political power, and we demand that political parties cede their presidential ticket to the North-Central. Patronising us means securing our votes, but ignoring us will cost you dearly.”
Nghargbu’s remarks highlight the region’s sense of exclusion and growing frustration. Despite being home to diverse ethnicities, resources, and significant political weight, the North-Central has never occupied the highest office in the land.
The movement also emphasizes that the North-Central zone, with its strategic position in the heart of Nigeria, has the potential to unite the country and heal the growing political rifts between the Northern and Southern elites. The group believes that the region can play a key role in bridging divides, promoting unity, and fostering national cohesion.
The call for North-Central representation in the 2027 election has received attention, with prominent figures such as Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a well-known leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the FCT, already expressing his intention to run.
“This is not just a fight for the presidency. It is a fight for justice, for inclusion, and for equal representation of all parts of the country,” he said, reinforcing the NCRM’s position.
