Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has said an Atiku Abubakar victory in the 2027 presidential election would end Nigeria’s informal rotational presidency arrangement between the North and South.
Sani made the statement while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He maintained that the South should complete an eight-year presidential tenure before power returns to the North.
According to Sani, an Atiku victory would bring the practice of rotational presidency to an end. He said this could create strong resentment in Southern Nigeria. He added that governing amid hatred, tension and conflict would be difficult. Sani noted that the political system is already dealing with several crises.
Sani said a northerner taking over before the South completes its eight-year tenure may not be easily accepted in the region. He argued that allowing the South to complete its eight years would make a northern takeover in 2031 easier.
He also proposed that southern candidates should compete among themselves in the 2027 election. Sani suggested Amaechi for the ADC, Peter Obi for the NDC and Makinde for the APM. He said the winner should serve for four years. After that, he said, the North should have the opportunity to produce the next president in 2031.
Sani acknowledged that rotational presidency is not provided for in the Nigerian Constitution. However, he urged political actors to consider the principle in the interest of fairness, equity and national unity.
He said Nigeria’s political history should also be considered. According to him, some principles may not be written in the Constitution. Yet, they can still promote justice, fairness, equity and peace.
Sani also argued that political power should not be dominated by one section of the country because of its population or electoral strength.
He said fairness requires the South to have its eight years in power. The North, he added, should then have the same opportunity for eight years.
Sani further noted that Nigeria’s political system is already facing several challenges. He argued that a northerner taking over the presidency before the South completes its eight-year tenure may not be easily accepted in Southern Nigeria.
