Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has reignited Nigeria’s zoning debate ahead of 2027, arguing that the North has spent fewer years in power than the South and questioning claims that it is automatically the South’s turn to produce the next president.
- +“South has had 18 years, North 10”, Atiku rejects southern presidency argument
In an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Atiku challenged the prevailing political narrative that power must remain in the South in 2027, insisting that such arguments are not grounded in constitutional provisions.
In an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Atiku challenged the prevailing political narrative that power must remain in the South in 2027, insisting that such arguments are not grounded in constitutional provisions.
While affirming his support for the principle of zoning, the former presidential candidate argued that a fair assessment of Nigeria’s political history shows an imbalance that does not favour the North.
“If you are talking about zoning… the South has governed for 18 years and the North 10. So who is in a deficit, if you want to be fair?” he said.
Atiku maintained that the absence of a constitutional framework for power rotation has fueled persistent political tensions, proposing instead that zoning be formally entrenched in law.
“It is not abandoning zoning; rather, it is entrenching zoning,” he said, adding that he would prioritise a constitutional amendment to institutionalise rotational presidency if elected.
Reflecting on past constitutional debates, Atiku admitted he had opposed the idea of rotational presidency during the military era but now considers that position a mistake.
“I admitted that I made a mistake… I should have supported that amendment,” he said, referring to proposals championed by late statesman Alex Ekwueme.
Beyond zoning, Atiku confirmed he is preparing for what he described as his final attempt at the presidency in 2027, emphasising that experience remains critical to governance.
He also reiterated his support for a broad opposition coalition, noting that no single party can defeat the ruling establishment alone.
The former vice president further disclosed that he would back any candidate that emerges from the coalition process, including Peter Obi, if selected through consensus or primaries.
