Middle Belt Leaders Resolve to Support Southern Presidential Candidate on ADC Ticket for 2027 Election Cycle

Middle Belt leaders and the ADC resolve to support a Southern presidential candidate in 2027 to promote national fairness and rotational leadership.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP News

A Strategic Shift Toward National Inclusion

In a significant realignment of regional political interests, leaders from the Middle Belt have formally declared their support for a Southern presidential candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections. This resolution was the primary outcome of the Middle-Belt Strategy Conference held in Jos, where delegates from the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEN) met with representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The assembly concluded that prioritizing a Southern ticket is a mechanical necessity for maintaining national balance. By opting not to "lead from the front," the region is positioning itself as a kingmaker rather than a direct contender for the nation’s highest office.

The Middle Belt as an Electoral Bridge

The conference, themed around building a "Green Coalition," highlighted the unique geographic and political positioning of the Middle Belt as a decisive link between Northern and Southern Nigeria. Participants argued that because the region serves as an electoral bridge, its alliances are more impactful than its individual contestations. Prince Pam Rwang, the group’s coordinator, noted that extensive deliberations proved that modern Nigerian elections are won through broad-based coalitions rather than regional dominance. This strategic withdrawal from the presidential race is intended to consolidate the region’s influence by making it the swing factor in a wider national alliance.

Respecting the Culture of Power Rotation

A cornerstone of the conference’s communiqué was the insistence on fairness and rotational leadership as established political norms in Nigeria. Delegates observed that zoning is already a practiced reality at the local government and ward levels across the country, and they argued that this principle must be respected at the national level to preserve legitimacy. The resolution stated that the ADC presidential ticket should be zoned to the South to ensure that all regions feel a sense of belonging within the federal structure. Stakeholders emphasized that leadership which fails to rotate risks alienating significant portions of the electorate and undermining national cohesion.