The Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, warning that failure to do so could undermine national cohesion and weaken the opposition’s electoral prospects.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the coalition comprising former national party chairmen and ex-presidential candidates from the six geopolitical zones said zoning the ticket to the South is both a moral imperative and a strategic calculation.

The National Chairman of the Coalition for Good Governance, Sir Okey Chikwendu and the National Secretary, Attah Ikeleji Ikeleji, reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to democratic integrity, equity and national unity.

According to the group, Nigeria’s current political and economic climate demands deliberate balancing to foster unity and enhance the opposition’s credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The nation is deeply polarised and economically distressed. The path to victory and national healing lies in fairness. Zoning the ticket to the South is both morally compelling and electorally strategic,” the group stated.

The CGG warned that leaving the zoning question unresolved could spark internal divisions within the ADC coalition and diminish its standing as a viable alternative platform.

The coalition also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the recent amendment to the Electoral Act, describing the development as a setback for democratic consolidation.

The group expressed concern over the decision not to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory, arguing that such technology is essential for transparency and public confidence.

“Electronic transmission safeguards data integrity, reduces human interference, and restores trust. Any resistance to it is resistance to transparency,” the statement read.

It described the amended law as “a dangerous regression,” alleging that it opens the door to potential manipulation and post-election disputes.

The coalition called on the National Assembly to reconsider the legislation and urged the international community to encourage reforms that strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.

The CGG further raised concerns about what it termed the gradual consolidation of a one-party state under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing recent defections by opposition governors and lawmakers.

“A one-party state eliminates accountability, suppresses dissent, and erodes constitutional democracy. Nigeria must not descend into political absolutism,” the group said.

It warned that if the electoral framework is not sufficiently strengthened to guarantee credibility, opposition stakeholders may be compelled to reassess their participation in the 2027 elections.