Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has stated that if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wins the 2027 presidential election, it will mark the end of rotational presidency in Nigeria. Sani made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today programme on Friday. He emphasized that while Atiku has the constitutional right to contest, political considerations of fairness, equity, and national unity should guide the 2027 contest.
Sani argued that the 2027 presidential contest should be left for southern candidates to compete among themselves. He suggested that parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) should field southern candidates, such as Amaechi, while the NDC should field Peter Obi, and the APM, field Makinde. According to Sani, this would allow the South to struggle it out and see who wins, and for four years, before the North has its unchallengeable opportunity to produce leadership of the country.
The former lawmaker acknowledged that rotational presidency is not provided for in the Constitution but insisted it is necessary for peace and justice. He noted that there are things that are not written in the constitution, but in the interest of justice, fairness, equity, and peace, they need to be considered. Sani warned that if Atiku wins in 2027, it would truncate the rotation principle and create bitterness.
Sani had earlier, in a post on X on Thursday, said the 2027 contest should be between President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde, Omoyele Sowore, Adewole Adebayo, Donald Duke, and other Southern candidates. He stated that the South should complete its eight years and that it's not constitutional, but it's equitable. Sani also noted that those who say there shouldn’t be respect for the principle of Rotation of power in 2027, should know that it will not be respected in 2031.
The former Senator also defended the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), over his recent comments on former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai's handling of insecurity in Southern Kaduna. Sani said many Nigerians commenting on the controversy have little direct knowledge of the affected communities. He stated that 80 per cent of those commenting have never been to Southern Kaduna and don't know the local government areas.
Sani alleged that terrorists and bandits have been killing people in Southern Kaduna for over a decade without intervention from the state government under El-Rufai. He stated that it is a fact that the state government did nothing to stop the violence. Sani further alleged that the El-Rufai administration failed to provide adequate support to security agencies.
Sani described El-Rufai as a "man of double-speak," alleging that he made contradictory statements on dealing with banditry. He emphasized that the government led by El-Rufai never provided support for the police, the Army, or the Civil Defence, or took any serious measure to end the violence or stop the bloodshed.
Key points
- Shehu Sani says Atiku Abubakar's win in 2027 will end rotational presidency in Nigeria.
- Sani suggests 2027 contest should be between southern candidates.
- Sani defends Defence Minister's comments on El-Rufai's handling of insecurity in Southern Kaduna.
