2027: Southern Coalition Urges Parties To Respect Zoning, Tasks INEC On Credible Polls

The Coalition of Southern Nigeria (CSN) has urged political parties to uphold the principle of zoning and called on the electoral umpire to guarantee credible elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.

The group made the call after an emergency virtual meeting involving political stakeholders and key actors from across the southern region, where pressing national issues were reviewed.

In a communiqué issued in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, and Secretary-General, Belo Osaretin, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to equity, transparency and national unity.

The meeting, chaired by Ajumbe, a former commissioner in Imo State, was convened amid what the group described as rising concerns over Nigeria’s political direction.

CSN specifically urged all registered political parties to respect the zoning arrangement, noting that it remains a stabilising factor in promoting national cohesion and political balance.

The coalition insisted that the South should complete its turn in the North-South power rotation, calling on parties to field presidential candidates from the region in the 2027 elections to ensure continuity of the rotational principle.

It also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections, stressing that public confidence in the democratic process must be strengthened.

The group cautioned INEC against any action that could undermine its neutrality, urging the commission to remain impartial in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

Referencing the 2023 presidential election, CSN expressed concern over challenges associated with the transmission of results, warning against a repeat in future polls.

“The electoral body must avoid a recurrence of the 2023 experience, where technological glitches led to manual transmission of results and cast doubts on the credibility of the process,” the communiqué stated.