A coalition of civil society groups, the Middle Belt Coalition for the Protection of Democracy, has insisted that the presidency must be zoned to the South in 2027, describing the demand as non-negotiable. “The Middle Belt will only support a southern presidency in the forthcoming 2027 elections, and we are in total support, and we see it as non-negotiable,” the chairman said. Rwang emphasised that the Middle Belt is a decisive electoral bridge in determining national outcomes, and that a strategic alliance with Southern Nigeria presents the most viable pathway to electoral success. The group declared that the Middle Belt will prioritise coalition-building over sectional contestation in the 2027 presidential election, seeking to shape a fair, inclusive, and winning coalition for Nigeria. The conference also noted that the Middle Belt has evolved into a conscious, strategic, and decisive political bloc capable of shaping national political outcomes through strategic alliances.

Source: Punch March 24, 2026 17:36 UTC