by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The National Chairman of Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), who doubles as Director-General of African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s Directorate for Mobilisation Civil Society and Progressive Engagements, Prince Rwang Pam Jr, says, national elections in Nigeria are won through broad-based coalitions, and the Middle-Belt remains a decisive electoral bridge in determining national outcomes.
According to him, the Middle-Belt has evolved into a conscious, strategic, and decisive political bloc, and its strength lies not only in contesting power but in proactively shaping coalition direction.
Disclosing this, while briefing Journalists in Jos on Tuesday, at the NUJ Press Center Jos, Prince Rwang Pam Jr acknowledged that the Middle-Belt will lead from the centre, shaping a fair, inclusive, and winning coalition for Nigeria.
He further explained that the region is no longer a silent partner in Nigeria’s politics but a decisive force that will shape the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, “COPDEM has resolved that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket should be zoned to the South, in 2027, and there is the need for a robust opposition that can win the election.”
Prince Pam Jr said, the resolution was made at the COPDEM-ADC Strategy Conference held in Jos, Plateau State, with the theme ‘Nigeria at a Crossroads: Building the Winning Coalition for 2027.’
He explained that, the decision was aimed at building a credible and winning coalition, emphasizing the importance of fairness, inclusion, and national balance in Nigeria’s democratic stability.
He also read a communiqué issued at the end of the Middle-Belt COPDEM-ADC Strategy Conference, noting the strategic importance of the Middle-Belt in national elections, adding that, “and there is urgent need to build a credible governing alternative capable of restoring national stability, economic prosperity, and public trust in leadership.”
The communiqué observed the importance of broad-based coalitions, fairness, and inclusion in Nigeria’s democratic stability, and the need for a national platform to demonstrate balance at the highest level of leadership selection.
It also resolved that COPDEM-ADC Middle-Belt Strategic Conference will continue to engage in Nigeria’s political process as a conscious, strategic, and decisive political bloc committed to fairness, inclusion, and national unity.
The communiqué also discussed that the Middle-Belt will prioritise coalition-building over sectional contestation in the 2027 presidential election and, that, the presidential ticket of the ADC should be zoned to Southern Nigeria.