Atiku victory in 2027 will end rotational presidency, says Shehu Sani

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has warned that if African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar wins the 2027 election, it will kill the informal system of rotating the presidency between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Sani made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, emphasizing that to maintain peace and equity, a candidate from the South should be allowed to complete a full eight-year term before power returns to the North in 2031.

The former lawmaker stated that while Atiku has every constitutional right to run for president, political fairness should be prioritized. Sani suggested that all major political parties should field candidates from the South for the 2027 elections.

“I never said Atiku should not run. 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 had from 2015 to 2023”, Sani.

Sani also added that political actors must consider it to maintain national unity. He emphasised that despite the challenges the country faced during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, the South never mounted a serious political challenge against his presidency.

Sani believes that If power stays in the North in 2027, it could cause resentment.

“If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria. There is going to be hard and bitter feelings from the southern part of Nigeria. I don’t think anyone would like to preside over a country full of hate, animosity, and conflict”, Sani.

He added that if the South finishes an eight-year term by 2031, a Northern president could then assume office without any pushback or resistance from the South.