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NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE — The Nsukka Democratic Movement (NDM) has opened a fresh political conversation ahead of the 2027 Enugu State governorship election, urging the people of Enugu North Senatorial District to move beyond exclusive reliance on zoning and deploy their substantial voting strength strategically to influence who governs the state.
The pro-democracy platform, comprising civil society organisations, community-based democratic groups, youth organisations, professional associations, political advocacy groups and other people-oriented formations across Enugu North, said Nsukka’s political future must not be determined by sentiment, elite negotiations, political exclusion or a zoning arrangement that, in its assessment, no longer reflects the current political realities in Enugu State.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Acting Coordinator and Secretary General, Comrade James Ezema, the NDM called for broad-based consultations involving traditional leaders, professionals, youths, women, civil society actors, community organisations and the wider electorate towards identifying a governorship candidate with the competence, character, capacity, integrity and broad acceptability required to lead Enugu State.
The Movement said the political significance of Nsukka’s voting population should be converted into meaningful political influence, effective representation and tangible development rather than being deployed merely as an electoral bargaining instrument.
According to the NDM, the key question before Nsukka in 2027 should not simply be where the governorship comes from, but who among the available candidates can provide effective, inclusive and development-oriented leadership for the entire state while addressing the longstanding needs of Enugu North.
“We call on all Nsukka people to make wise and strategic use of our high voting population. Our votes must no longer be treated merely as instruments for negotiating political positions after decisions have already been made elsewhere,” the Movement said.
It added that Nsukka must “sit down, consult broadly and work towards a consensus around a candidate who has what it takes to govern Enugu State successfully” and accelerate development across the senatorial district and the state.
NDM Challenges Zoning Argument
The Movement also challenged the continued political relevance of the zoning arrangement that has featured prominently in discussions about the 2027 governorship election.
The NDM argued that the arrangement was fundamentally a political initiative associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rather than a constitutional provision or an agreement binding on all political parties and political actors in Enugu State.
It maintained that changes in the state’s political configuration have significantly altered the circumstances under which the arrangement operated.
“Zoning has collapsed as a political arrangement because its principal political vehicle is no longer in power in Enugu State,” the Movement declared.
The group argued that where political parties are now free to nominate governorship candidates through their respective democratic processes, Nsukka should equally be free to make a strategic political choice based on the candidate most capable of advancing the interests of its people and the state.
It, however, stressed that rejecting exclusive reliance on zoning should not result in the political exclusion of Nsukka or the imposition of candidates on its people.
Instead, the NDM advocated popular participation, open consultation, transparent engagement and a democratic consensus reflecting the aspirations of the electorate.
“We are not advocating for the exclusion of Nsukka zone from the governorship. On the contrary, we are advocating for a stronger and more intelligent strategy through which Enugu North Senatorial District can participate in determining who governs Enugu State in 2027,” it said.
‘Don’t Make Nsukka Politically Predictable’
The Movement warned against allowing the zoning debate to divide Nsukka or make the district politically predictable during elections.
It urged the people to recognise their population and voting strength as critical political assets that could be used to negotiate effectively with political parties and candidates.
“Let us not allow the argument over zoning to divide our people or make us politically predictable. Our strength lies in our votes, our population and our ability to collectively make a strategic choice,” the statement said.
The NDM further urged political parties, governorship aspirants and other stakeholders seeking the support of Nsukka to engage directly with the people and present clear, measurable programmes for the development of Enugu North.
It identified infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment, agriculture, industrialisation, security and human capital development among the critical areas on which candidates should be required to make specific commitments.
The Movement warned that political decisions affecting Enugu North must not be left entirely to elite negotiations conducted without meaningful participation by the people.
Movement Begins Broad-Based Consultations
As part of its strategy ahead of 2027, the NDM called on its affiliate organisations, community leaders, youth and women groups, professional bodies, civil society organisations and other democratic stakeholders across Enugu North to join its broad-based consultations towards developing a common political direction.
The organisation said the objective was not to impose a candidate but to create a democratic process through which the people could assess candidates and determine the political option that best serves their collective interests.
“2027 should not be about who has the loudest political machinery. It should be about who can earn the confidence of our people and provide competent, inclusive and development-oriented leadership,” the NDM said.
The Movement maintained that Nsukka’s political influence should ultimately produce concrete benefits for its people, stressing that the district must participate actively in the process of determining who governs Enugu State.
“Nsukka must participate. Nsukka zone must negotiate. Nsukka zone must vote wisely. Above all, Enugu North Senatorial District must refuse to be excluded from the process of determining its own political future,” it declared.
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