The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised remarks by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga regarding the North South power rotation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onanuga had argued that President Bola Tinubu should complete two terms in office, insisting that the South must retain power until 2031 following the eight year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. His comments have sparked backlash from opposition figures who describe the stance as unconstitutional and contrary to democratic principles.
Reacting via a post on X, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, rejected the claim, stating that no presidential aide has the authority to impose zoning arrangements or reinterpret the Nigerian Constitution. He emphasised that power rotation is a political convention rather than a legal requirement.
Shaibu accused the Presidency of attempting to silence opposition voices and described the argument for a guaranteed eight year tenure as anti democratic. According to him, leadership in a constitutional republic is determined by elections, not entitlement.
He also alleged hypocrisy, noting that those currently defending zoning had previously ignored it when convenient. In addition, he condemned references to the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a justification for political arguments, calling it inappropriate.
The Atiku camp further claimed that the 2023 election outcome was influenced by irregularities rather than zoning dynamics, while insisting that the 2027 election should be decided by voters based on performance and credibility.
The exce highlights growing political tension as early positioning and debates over power rotation begin to shape the landscape ahead of the next presidential election.
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