Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised serious concerns over recent calls for Northerners to wait until 2031 to contest the presidency.
Atiku, who has been a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, described this as an unfair and inequitable proposal, highlighting the imbalance in the distribution of power between the North and South.
The call for patience came from Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who recently urged Northerners to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Akume, speaking on TVC, stated that those eyeing the presidency from the North in 2027 should hold off and wait for 2031, as Tinubu, a Southerner, should be allowed to serve two terms in office.
Unequal Power Sharing
Atiku, in a statement issued by his media adviser Paul Ibe, immediately challenged this suggestion. He pointed out that by 2027, the South would have had 17 years of leadership, with eight years under Olusegun Obasanjo, five years under Goodluck Jonathan, and four years under Tinubu.
In contrast, Atiku noted, the North would have only experienced 11 years of leadership. This includes three years under Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and eight years under Muhammadu Buhari.
Atiku’s remarks were clear: there is a significant leadership disparity between the North and South, and this cannot be ignored.
Atiku Demands True Equity
In response to Akume’s call, Atiku strongly questioned the fairness of such an arrangement. He asked, “Where, then, does true equity and fairness reside?” He went on to express concern that the proposal would only widen the gap in the balance of power between the two regions.
For Atiku, the matter is not just about power rotation but about ensuring that leadership positions are shared equitably across the country.
He called for a more balanced approach to leadership, one that ensures both the North and South have a fair and just opportunity to hold the nation’s top office.
Atiku’s Challenge to the Tinubu Administration
Atiku also took the opportunity to criticize the performance of the current Tinubu administration.
He questioned whether the Tinubu government had done enough to deserve re-election, stating that the answer was “as clear as the heavens themselves—God forbid.”
For Atiku, this scathing remark was a direct challenge to the Tinubu administration’s ability to deliver on its promises to Nigerians.
He suggested that the electorate’s power to elect or reject a government is based on the government’s performance, and not on any fixed timeline or power-sharing arrangement.
A Divisive Issue Ahead of 2027
Atiku’s comments come at a crucial time in Nigeria’s political cycle, with the 2027 presidential election fast approaching. The debate over power-sharing and the rotation of leadership between the North and South is expected to become a central issue in the election campaign.
As the clock ticks towards 2027, many Nigerians are closely watching how the ruling party and opposition parties will address issues of equity, fairness, and leadership performance.
Power Belongs to the People
Atiku also made it clear that, at the end of the day, the power to elect and vote out a government rests with the Nigerian people. He reminded the nation that the electorate has the ultimate say in determining who leads the country, based on the performance of the government.
For Atiku, the 2023 election was a testament to the will of the people, and he believes that future elections should follow the same principle—allowing the people to decide, rather than being bound by arbitrary timelines.
Implications for Nigeria’s Future
The ongoing discussion around power-sharing between the North and South is not just about 2027. It speaks to the deeper challenges of equity and justice that continue to define Nigeria’s political landscape.
As politicians like Atiku continue to weigh in on the issue, Nigerians are likely to see an intensification of the debate, with calls for a more inclusive and fair system of governance.
The 2027 election promises to be a defining moment in the country’s history, and Atiku’s criticism of the proposed 2031 delay may just be the beginning of a larger conversation about what is fair and just in Nigerian politics.
