Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has said an Atiku Abubakar victory in the 2027 presidential election would mark the end of Nigeria’s informal system of rotating the presidency between the North and South.
Sani made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday while explaining his position that the South should complete an eight-year presidential tenure before power returns to the North.
He said Atiku had a constitutional right to contest but maintained that political considerations should influence the 2027 contest.
“I never said Atiku should not run. Constitutionally, he has the right to run for any election,” Sani said.
He argued that southern candidates, including Peter Obi and other presidential contenders, should compete for the presidency in 2027, after which the North could seek power in 2031.
Sani acknowledged that rotational presidency is not provided for in Nigeria’s Constitution but said political actors should consider the arrangement in the interest of fairness, equity and national unity.
He cited former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office from 2015 to 2023 as part of his argument, saying the South did not mount a serious challenge to his presidency during that period.
“If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria,” Sani said.
He expressed concern that an Atiku victory could generate resentment in the South and make it difficult for a northern president to govern without resistance.
Sani maintained that allowing the South to complete an eight-year tenure would make it easier for power to return to the North in 2031.
He stressed that his position was not a call to prevent Atiku from contesting.
“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.
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