Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, says a victory for African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 election would effectively terminate Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement.
Sani made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, insisting that the South should be allowed to complete a full eight-year presidential tenure before power reverts to the North.
While acknowledging Atiku’s constitutional right to contest, the former lawmaker argued that political and equity considerations should also shape the direction of the 2027 race.
“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 added that other Southern candidates — including Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi — deserved the same opportunity to contest. Sani proposed that the ADC field Rivers State’s Rotimi Amaechi, the NDC retain Obi, and the APM present Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, allowing Southern aspirants to compete among themselves for a single four-year term.
“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.
Sani conceded that rotational presidency has no constitutional backing but maintained that political parties should still honour it in the interest of equity, fairness, and national stability.
“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 the arrangement shouldn’t hinge purely on population or voting strength, pointing out that former President Muhammadu Buhari served a full eight years (2015–2023) without serious challenge from the South.
Sani insisted his stance isn’t aimed at blocking Atiku’s ambition.
“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 directly what an Atiku win would mean for rotation, Sani was blunt.
“If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria,” he said, warning the outcome could stir resentment in parts of the South.
He argued that letting the South complete its eight years would pave the way for a Northern successor to Tinubu in 2031 without Southern pushback.
“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 said.
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