2027: Obidient Leader Hails El-Rufai’s Call For Zoning Presidency To South
The Leader of the Obidient Movement in the South East, Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has commended former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for advocating that Nigeria’s presidency should be zoned to the South ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Ezeh said El-Rufai’s position on zoning reinforces the principle of equity and inclusivity, while also placing Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the centre of ongoing opposition realignments.
His remarks follow El-Rufai’s call on South East residents to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Ezeh also dismissed a recent protest staged against El-Rufai in Owerri, describing it as a “sham” organised by desperate politicians within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
He alleged that the demonstration was orchestrated by loyalists of a northern aspirant unsettled by El-Rufai’s suggestion that the ADC presidential ticket should be zoned to the South to complete the outstanding four-year tenure.
“Although the constitution guarantees freedom of expression, coalition politicians working for a northern aspirant must be guided by equity, fairness and inclusivity,” Ezeh said.
He stressed that the opposition coalition would lack credibility if it fails to zone the presidency to the South, insisting that El-Rufai’s message aligns with the ideals of the Obidient Movement.
“The time for grabbing power for power’s sake is gone. Mallam El-Rufai has come to acknowledge that Nigeria belongs to every citizen, and that the journey to a new Nigeria must rest on citizen participation in elections and the rule of law,” he added.
On voter mobilisation, Ezeh described the 2027 elections as a decisive contest, warning against apathy.
“Apathy and lethargy encourage vote thieves to steal the people’s mandate. To me, these are the core of El-Rufai’s message, whether in Sokoto, Kaduna or Owerri. We must recognise that 2027 is going to be the final bitter fight between the forces of evil and the forces of good, forces of light and forces of darkness,” he said.
Ezeh urged those attacking El-Rufai to retrace their steps and called on all men and women of goodwill within the opposition to rally around Obi.
“If the coalition of opposition political forces is to bear fruit in 2027, all men and women of goodwill should support Mr Peter Obi, who parades the essential qualities of ethical, competent and purposeful leadership,” he stated.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
