The Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, warning that any deviation could undermine the aspirations of millions of Nigerians seeking political renewal.
Speaking to journalists, the coalition comprising former national party chairmen and ex-presidential candidates from all six geopolitical zones, emphasised that equity, national balance, and electoral realism make Southern zoning a strategic imperative rather than a mere political concession.
“The nation is deeply polarised and economically distressed. The path to victory and national healing lies in fairness.
”Zoning the ticket to the South is both morally compelling and electorally strategic,” the CGG declared.
The group cautioned that failure to resolve the zoning question decisively could trigger internal rifts within the ADC, weakening the party’s credibility as a viable alternative in the 2027 general elections.
Turning to electoral reforms, the CGG criticised President Bola Tinubu over his assent to the amended Electoral Act, labelling it a “dangerous regression” likely to erode public confidence in the electoral process.
The coalition singled out the repeal of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results, describing it as a major loophole for vote manipulation, intimidation, and post-election disputes.
“Electronic transmission safeguards data integrity, reduces human interference, and restores public trust. Any resistance to it is resistance to transparency,” the statement read.
The CGG described the amended law as “electoral banditry” and “the civilian equivalent of a coup,” accusing the National Assembly of facilitating democratic backsliding.
It urged the international community to pressure Nigerian authorities to reconsider provisions perceived as anti-democratic.
The coalition also raised concerns about a perceived drift toward a one-party state under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the ongoing defections of opposition governors and federal lawmakers.
“A one-party state eliminates accountability, suppresses dissent, and weakens constitutional democracy.
”Nigeria must not descend into political absolutism,” the group warned.
The CGG stated that if the electoral framework remains fundamentally flawed, opposition stakeholders may need to reassess their participation in the 2027 polls.
The statement was jointly signed by Okey Chikwendu, National Chairman, and Attah Ikeleji Ikeleji, who reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to defending democratic integrity, equity, and national unity.
