Shehu Sani: Atiku's Win in 2027 Will End Rotational Presidency

A former Senator from Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said that if Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, wins the 2027 election, it will end the idea of rotational presidency in Nigeria.

Sani made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He repeated his view that the South should complete an eight-year term before power shifts back to the North.

The former lawmaker noted that Atiku has the right to run for president under the Constitution. But he emphasized that political issues should be considered for the 2027 election.

"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 mentioned that southern candidates, including Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and others, should be allowed to compete in the presidential race 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.

Sani admitted that the Constitution does not mention rotational presidency. But he said political leaders should consider it for 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 no single part of the country should control political power just because of its population or voting strength.

Sani pointed to the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari, from 2015 to 2023, saying that the South did not challenge his presidency seriously during that time.

"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 clarified that his views do not stop Atiku from running in 2027.

"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.

When asked about the effects of an Atiku victory, Sani said it would end the unwritten rule 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 is already facing several issues and argued that a northern president succeeding Tinubu in 2027 could face backlash from the South.

"Right now, uh, political system is managing a lot of crisis. And I don’t think a Northerner taking over power here will come in with ease and convenience to the people in the Southern part of Nigeria," he said.

Sani insisted that allowing the South to finish their eight years would make it easier for a northerner to take over in 2031 without conflict from the South.

"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. 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.