Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has warned that a victory for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 election would effectively terminate the informal rotational presidency arrangement in Nigeria. Sani made the remarks on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Friday, arguing that the southern part of the country should be permitted to complete an eight-year presidential tenure before power returns to the North.
While acknowledging that Abubakar holds a constitutional right to contest the upcoming election, Sani maintained that political considerations regarding regional equity must also be weighed. “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 stated.
Sani proposed that southern candidates, including Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, should be allowed to compete in the 2027 race. He suggested specific candidates for other parties, stating that the ADC should field Rotimi Amaechi, the NDC should present Obi, and the APM should field Oyo State Governor Seyi 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.
Although Sani acknowledged that rotational presidency is not enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, he argued that political leaders should honor the arrangement to ensure justice, fairness, and national stability. He noted that former President Muhammadu Buhari completed his eight-year term between 2015 and 2023 without what he described as a serious challenge from the South, suggesting that a similar period for the South would prevent future resistance.
“If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria,” Sani said, adding that such an outcome could generate resentment in parts of the South.
Sani emphasized that his position was not intended to block Abubakar’s candidacy but rather to advocate for a structured transition of power. He argued that allowing the South to complete an eight-year term would make it easier for a northern candidate to succeed President Bola Tinubu in 2031 without facing opposition. “But if we allow the South to have their eight-year term, by 2031, a Northerner takes over, there will be no challenge from Southern part of Nigeria,” he concluded.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
