Kaduna, Nigeria – Nigeria’s power rotation debate intensified on Tuesday as northern political elites, traditional rulers, technocrats, and civil society leaders gathered in Kaduna to assess President Bola Tinubu’s midterm performance and weigh in on the country’s political future ahead of 2027.
The high-level gathering, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, was held at Arewa House with the theme: “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity.”
Among the dignitaries present were Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top security chiefs—all northerners appointed under Tinubu’s administration.
Akume: North Should Wait Until 2031
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, SGF Akume emphasized that, under Nigeria’s unwritten power rotation principle, the North would not be due for the presidency until 2031.
“In 1999, northern leaders agreed that rotational power would promote peace and cohesion. Based on that understanding, the North will be eligible again in 2031,” Akume said.
He urged northern politicians to exercise restraint and allow the South to complete its turn in the presidency.
Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum Back Akume
Both the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, supported Akume’s stance.
MBF President, Bitrus Pogu, said while the rotation agreement isn’t constitutional, it remains crucial for unity in a multi-ethnic nation.
Afenifere’s Organising Secretary Kole Omololu described Akume’s remarks as principled and necessary, stating that “the presidency must remain in the South until 2031 for the sake of equity and cohesion.”
Opposition Parties Push Back
However, not all political actors agree. The Labour Party and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) rejected any regional restrictions on candidacy.
NNPP’s Ladipo Johnson argued that the same way the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket defied political norms without consequence, so too can the region of the next president be open-ended.
Labour Party’s Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi said leadership should be about competence, not geography. “We’re focused on bringing in someone with the ability to turn Nigeria around, regardless of region,” he said.
Babachir Lawal Blasts Tinubu’s Allies
Former SGF Babachir Lawal criticized Akume, accusing Tinubu and the ruling APC of breaking the power-sharing norm with their 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“Having disrupted the balance, they have no moral standing to now demand adherence to rotation,” Lawal said, warning that Nigerians could truncate Tinubu’s presidency through the ballot if dissatisfaction persists.
APGA, PDP Take Sides
APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, backed the South’s claim to the presidency in 2027, noting the party would field a Southern candidate. However, he distanced APGA from any coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, labelling it “unpatriotic.”
On the other hand, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba dismissed the entire debate, saying Nigerians would ultimately decide Tinubu’s fate in 2027, asserting, “They have failed. Nigerians will vote them out.”
Kwankwaso Criticized for Northern Rhetoric
Former APC spokesman Yekini Nabena accused Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of inciting northern resentment by alleging government bias toward the South in project allocation. Nabena said such tactics are outdated and warned that the South must complete its eight-year presidential tenure.
