A non-partisan group, the South-North Progressives Forum (SNPF), has urged the emerging political coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.

The group's Convener, Onyekwulisi Ikechwuku, made this appeal during a press conference held on Saturday in Abuja themed "The South Deserves Another Tenure of Four Years."

According to Ikechwuku, Nigeria has experienced a significant power imbalance since independence, with the North holding power for 24 years compared to the South's 18 years, counting from the parliamentary democracy of 1957 through to the constitutional democracy established in 1999.

"It is time to address this imbalance and ensure that every region has a fair opportunity to lead our great nation," Ikechwuku stated, highlighting that while the federal character principle ensures equitable representation in federal appointments, it does not explicitly address power rotation for elective positions.

The SNPF, which claims membership across all political parties in Nigeria, proposed "an explicit constitutional framework for power oscillation between the South and North, allowing regional blocs to micro zone the presidency and ensure every Nigerian has a voice in our national development."

"Alternatively, there should be an executive bill for electoral reform that will engender power rotation in all our political parties in order to maintain the ease of power equality across the sub-regions," the Convener added.

The group specifically called on the recently formed political coalition, reportedly involving Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, and potentially other political figures, to consider fielding a southern candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

"We call on all patriots, stakeholders, organizations, political parties, especially the purported coalition platform, to join us in ceding their presidential candidates to the South for the 2027 election, ensuring another tenure of four years," Ikechwuku emphasized.

The SNPF Convener stressed that their position transcends partisan politics, describing it as "a national imperative" that would enable Nigerians to make informed choices based on merit while ensuring the nation's continued progress.

In a demonstration of their commitment to equitable power sharing, Ikechwuku pledged that the group would advocate for northern presidency in 2031, stating, "We commit to leading the same campaign for the North in 2031, demonstrating our passion for equality and stability in nation building."

The group revealed plans for a robust mobilization framework aimed at securing at least 10 million eligible voters before the 2027 elections, with 80 percent expected to come from northern Nigeria.