Chinwe Odita, Political Editor
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has the constitutional right to contest the 2027 presidential election, but warned that his victory would bring an end to the informal rotational presidency in Nigeria.
Sani spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, where he argued that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year tenure, just as the North did from 2015 to 2023.
“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,” he said.
The former lawmaker said southern aspirants should be allowed to slug it out for the presidency, naming Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as possible contenders.
“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,” Sani stated.
He acknowledged that rotation is not written in the Constitution but said it should be respected for justice, fairness, equity 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,” he said.
Sani said former President Muhammadu Buhari served eight years without serious challenge from the South, and the same principle should apply to President Bola Tinubu’s South-West zone.
He stressed that his stance was not an attempt to bar Atiku from the race.
“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.
On the implication of an Atiku victory, Sani was blunt:
“If Atiku wins, it means that is the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria,” he said, warning that such an outcome could trigger resentment in the South.
He maintained that allowing the South to complete its tenure would pave the way for an uncontested northern presidency in 2031.
“But if we allow the South to have their eight-year term, by 2031, a Northerner takes over, there will be no challenge from the Southern part of Nigeria,” he added.
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