2027: Atiku’s victory will end rotational presidency in Nigeria – Shehu Sani - Punch Newspapers

A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said the victory of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 election will mark the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria. Sani stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, while reiterating his position that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year presidential tenure before power returns to the North. The former lawmaker said Atiku had the constitutional right to contest the presidency, but argued that political considerations should guide the 2027 contest. “I never said Atiku should not run. Constitutionally, he has the right to run for any election. But what I said was that the southern part of Nigeria should be allowed to have its eight-year tenure in office, just like the way the North has from 2015 to 2023,” Sani said. He said southern candidates, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi, and other contenders, should be allowed to compete for the presidency in 2027. “All the parties. Like the ADC now, they’re supposed to field Amaechi. That is what’s supposed to be. The NDC should field Peter Obi, and the APM, field Makinde. Let the South struggle it out and see who wins, and for four years. And when the tenure is done by 2031, the North shall have its unchallengeable opportunity to produce leadership of the country,” he said.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Sani acknowledged that rotational presidency was not provided for in the Constitution but said political actors should consider it in the interest of fairness and national unity. “And it’s very important, because we should look at our history where we come from. There are things that are not written in our constitution, but in the interest of justice, fairness, equity, and peace, we need to consider all these things here,” he said. He argued that political power should not be dominated by one part of the country because of its population or electoral strength. Sani cited the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari, from 2015 to 2023, and said the South did not mount a serious challenge to his presidency during that period. OK movement not funded by Obi, NDC – DG Police begin disciplinary action against inspector over ethnic, political remarks Why Atiku named El-Rufai in ADC campaign council — Dele Momodu “Buhari had his eight years in office; there is no serious challenge from the southern part of Nigeria to his government. And despite all that President Tinubu has faced from 2015 to 2023, he never thought of raising any challenge to Buhari’s presidency. So, I think it’s going to be fair to this country and to our political system, that when the South has its eight years, the North should have its eight years,” he said. Sani said his position did not prevent Atiku from contesting the 2027 election. “About Atiku, the constitution has not stopped him from contesting the election. He can contest the election, but for me, that is my position and I’m not backing down on it,” he said. Asked about the implication of an Atiku victory, Sani said it would end the informal principle of rotational presidency. “If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria. And there is going to be hard and bitter feelings from the Southwestern part of Nigeria or Southern part of Nigeria. And I don’t think anyone would like to preside over a country with full of hate, animosity, and conflict,” he said. He added that the political system was already dealing with several crises and argued that a northern president succeeding Tinubu in 2027 could face opposition in the South. “Right now, uh, political system is managing a lot of crisis. And I don’t thinka Northerner taking over power here will come in with ease and convenience to the people in the Southern part of Nigeria,” he said. Sani maintained that allowing the South to complete eight years would pave the way for a northerner to take over in 2031 without resistance from the South. “But if we allow the South to have their eight to have their eight-year term, eight years, by 2031, a Northerner takes over, there will be no challenge from Southern part of Nigeria. So, that is my own view. But the constitution has not stopped anyone from contesting, but my view is that all the contestants should come from Southern part of Nigeria for now,” he said. Saheed Oyelakin Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.

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