Dr Doyin Okupe, a former Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign under the Labour Party (LP), has stated that it would be unjust for the North to reclaim power in the 2027 elections.
He emphasized that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure to maintain fairness and national unity.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, Okupe argued that geopolitical considerations are critical and that Northern aspirations for the presidency in 2027 would disrupt the balance of power rotation between the regions.
While acknowledging the qualifications of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who contested in the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okupe suggested that Northern candidates should step back in 2027 to promote cohesion.
“Atiku’s candidacy in 2023 faced challenges because it was perceived as disrupting the North-South power rotation.
“He is highly qualified, but geopolitics remains an issue. If a Southerner completes four years by 2027, they should be given another four years to ensure balance,” Okupe said.
He further argued that, although power rotation is not enshrined in the constitution, it has become an agreed political norm in Nigeria.
“A Northern president cannot take over after a Southern president has only completed four years. It would not work,” he added.
Okupe’s comments come amid ongoing consultations among political stakeholders in both the North and South as they position for the 2027 general elections.