ABUJA — Leaders of the Coalition for Good Governance demanded that the African Democratic Congress zone its 2027 presidential nomination to Southern Nigeria. They made the pitch during a news conference here, arguing the move would shore up national unity and boost the party’s electoral edge.

The coalition includes former national chairmen and ex-presidential hopefuls from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Sir Okey Chikwendu, its national chairman, and Attah Ikeleji Ikeleji, the national secretary, led the appeal. They described zoning as a moral duty and a smart political play amid the country’s strains.

“Nigeria stands deeply divided and economically battered,” the group said in a statement. “Victory and healing demand fairness. Handing the ticket to the South carries moral weight and electoral punch.”

Chikwendu stressed that the current leadership under President Bola Tinubu, from the southwest, has held power since 2023. A southern candidate in 2027 would balance the scales, according to the coalition. Without it, they predict turmoil inside the ADC and a weaker challenge to the All Progressives Congress.

The ADC, a smaller opposition party, has struggled to gain traction since its founding in 2006. It fielded candidates in past elections but never mounted a serious presidential run. Coalition members see zoning as a way to rally voters disillusioned with economic woes like soaring inflation and fuel shortages.

Ikeleji pointed to past zoning deals that smoothed transitions between north and south. The practice, informal but entrenched, helped stabilize Nigeria’s democracy since 1999. Breaking it now, he said, invites chaos.

“Unresolved zoning breeds rifts,” the secretary warned. Internal fights could splinter the ADC before ballots are cast, handing an advantage to incumbents.

The coalition’s members bring heavyweight credentials. Chikwendu once chaired a major party, while others contested top races across zones. Their diverse backing lends heft to the call, though the ADC has not yet responded.

Nigeria’s 2023 vote saw Tinubu defeat northern rival Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi from the southeast. Opposition voices have since pushed for equity in future contests. The CGG joins that chorus, tying its plea to broader goals of integrity and cohesion.

Party insiders note zoning debates often flare before elections. The ADC’s national convention looms in coming months, where ticket rules could solidify. For now, the coalition’s urging hangs in the air, a test of the party’s strategic nerve.