Former Borno State Governor and APC chieftain Ali Modu Sheriff has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should shelve any plans to contest the 2027 presidential election. According to him, the North should wait until 2031 before seeking to reclaim the presidency.
Speaking during a television interview, Sheriff argued that Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement and political balance require that the South retain the presidency after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North.
According to Sheriff, Atiku remains a qualified and experienced politician, but pursuing the presidency in 2027 would go against the spirit of fairness and regional rotation that has helped maintain stability in the country’s political system.
“If Atiku wants the presidency, he can wait till 2031, that is the time for the North; for now it is time for the South”, he said.
He maintained that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to complete a second term if re-elected, stressing that it is still the South’s turn to occupy the nation’s highest office.
Sheriff’s remarks add to the growing debate over zoning and succession ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties and key stakeholders begin to position themselves for what is expected to be a highly contested race.
He had earlier claimed that Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, won’t get votes from the North, outlining several reasons.
