BREAKING: Okonkwo Warns ADC On Zoning, Says 2027 Support Depends On Southeast Inclusion Policy

A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has renewed national debate on zoning and political inclusion in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that his political alignment will depend on how parties handle regional representation in their presidential ticket decisions.

Speaking during a recent interview on Channels Television, Okonkwo addressed growing concerns over internal party arrangements, zoning agreements, and what he described as persistent political marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.

He stressed that political parties must take deliberate steps to ensure fairness in the distribution of presidential tickets across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, arguing that zoning remains a key mechanism for maintaining national unity in a diverse country.

According to him, the South-East has historically been disadvantaged in Nigeria’s democratic system, having never produced a president under the current democratic dispensation despite its contributions to national development.

Okonkwo warned that continued neglect of rotational leadership principles could deepen political dissatisfaction and weaken citizens’ trust in democratic institutions, particularly in regions that feel excluded from the highest levels of political representation.

He further stated that zoning arrangements should not be treated as matters of political convenience or electoral strategy, but rather as issues of fairness, justice, and national balance.

“The Southeast of Nigeria has suffered a persistent political imbalance, and this must be corrected if we are serious about national unity,” he argued.

In a strongly worded remark, Okonkwo also indicated that he could consider pursuing the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the ADC fails to zone its presidential ticket to the South-East, underscoring the seriousness of his position on regional equity.

He maintained that his stance is not driven by personal ambition alone but by what he described as a broader need to ensure that all regions of Nigeria are given a fair opportunity to occupy the nation’s highest political office.

Okonkwo added that political decisions ahead of the 2027 elections will be heavily influenced by how parties address issues of inclusion, fairness, and power rotation, warning that neglecting such considerations could affect electoral outcomes.

He concluded by affirming that he would support any political platform—regardless of party affiliation—that demonstrates a genuine commitment to equitable representation and gives the South-East a credible chance at the presidency.