Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said an Atiku Abubakar victory in the 2027 presidential election would bring an end to Nigeria’s informal power-sharing arrangement between the North and South.
Sani stated this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while arguing that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year presidential tenure before power returns to the North.
He, however, acknowledged that the Nigerian Constitution does not prohibit Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, from contesting the 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,” Sani said.
The former lawmaker argued that although rotational presidency is not a constitutional provision, political leaders should consider the arrangement in the interest of fairness, equity, justice and national unity.
Sani cited the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2023, arguing that the South should similarly be allowed to complete an eight-year stint before power returns to the North.
He said the 2027 presidential contest should therefore feature candidates from the South, mentioning Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and other southern contenders, while maintaining that Atiku remained constitutionally free to contest.
“If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria,” Sani said, warning that such an outcome could generate resentment in parts of the South.
He maintained that his position was based on his personal view of political power-sharing and did not amount to denying Atiku his constitutional right to seek the presidency. INEC has scheduled the 2027 presidential election for January 16, with Atiku among the candidates listed for the contest.
