A nationwide campaign has been launched by the South-North Progressive Forum, SNPF, to promote fairness, equity, and the rotation of presidential power in Nigeria between the North and South. The forum’s chairman, Festus Onyekwulisi, presented the group’s stance at a media briefing in Abuja, emphasizing the need for national cohesion.
According to Onyekwulisi, Nigeria’s political history shows a disparity in the distribution of presidential power, with the North holding the position for approximately 24 years and the South for 18 years. He argued that allowing the South to retain the presidency in 2027 would help correct this imbalance and strengthen the country’s democratic spirit of inclusion.
The SNPF has established a network of structures in over 30,000 communities, with appointed coordinators tasked with mobilizing voters and aiming to secure 10 million votes for a southern candidate. Onyekwulisi highlighted the forum’s philosophy of “rightful defection,” which encourages voters to prioritize competence, equity, and credibility over party loyalty.
In a demonstration of commitment to national integration, the SNPF has pledged to support a northern candidate in the 2031 elections. The group is also advocating for political parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress, to adopt fair zoning arrangements that reflect equity. Furthermore, the SNPF is calling for legislative reforms to grant the Federal Capital Territory full state status, in line with the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Abuja’s equal standing.
The proposed reforms for the FCT include the appointment of a governor, the creation of three senatorial districts, representation in the House of Representatives, and increased federal allocations. By promoting these changes, the SNPF aims to address the current imbalance and work towards a more equitable distribution of power in Nigeria. The campaign’s outcome is likely to have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and its efforts to achieve national cohesion.
