The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State, led by Dr. Johnpaul Anih, has said it has not zoned its governorship ticket to any part of the state.

The party stated that it has instead thrown the governorship ticket open to all qualified and capable citizens across Enugu State, regardless of senatorial zone.

Addressing journalists on Friday after a State Working Committee (SWC) meeting, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Ugwueze, said the decision was aimed at strengthening the party’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.

He said the party would prioritise competence over zoning in its bid to unseat the ruling APC in the state.

“This decision aligns with the party’s determination to win the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State. We are not going to sacrifice capacity on the altar of zoning,” Ugwueze said.

“Capturing the Lion Building is our major target, and we will exploit every available option and strategy.”

However, the party announced a zoning arrangement for senatorial and other legislative positions, which it said was based on equity, fairness, and inclusiveness.

According to Ugwueze, the Enugu East Senatorial District ticket has been zoned within Enugu North and South Federal Constituencies, particularly Enugu North LGA, which he said has not produced a senator in recent times.

He also stated that the Enugu North Senatorial District ticket has been zoned to Igboeze South Local Government Area under Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency, while the Enugu West Senatorial District ticket has been zoned to Awgu LGA.

The party said the arrangement was part of efforts to promote fairness and balance among constituencies.

Ugwueze stressed that consultations were still ongoing with stakeholders across the three senatorial districts to ensure inclusiveness and stability within the party.

He also cautioned members against misinformation and warned against what he described as “external interference,” alleging that some individuals sympathetic to the APC were attempting to destabilise the party.

According to the NDC leadership, the zoning arrangement for legislative offices is part of broader efforts to strengthen internal democracy and unity within the party.

Ugwueze urged members to remain calm and avoid premature political speculation, noting that consultations on the governorship ticket were ongoing and would be concluded ahead of the primaries.

He assured that all decisions taken so far were guided by equity and collective interest, adding that no region would be marginalised in the process.

Also speaking, the party’s Secretary, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, said the party had taken decisions on some federal constituencies while awaiting reports from a zoning committee on others.

He said the Awgu–Aninri and Oji River Federal Constituency had been zoned to Aninri after reviewing recommendations from leaders in the area.

Okafor added that decisions on the remaining constituencies would be communicated later.

He urged aspirants outside designated zones to step down and support consensus candidates in the interest of party unity and electoral success. (The Guardian)