The battle for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency has taken a dramatic turn, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso firing a fresh political warning at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that the South must be allowed to retain power.
Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), cautioned Atiku against pursuing another presidential ambition, arguing that doing so could threaten the delicate balance of power between Nigeria’s North and South.
He spoke during an interactive session with journalists at his residence in Kano on Sunday.
Kwankwaso warns against political confusion
The former governor also took aim at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing some political actors of attempting to disrupt the informal power-sharing arrangement between the two regions.
According to him, although zoning is not expressly provided for in the Constitution, fairness and political stability demand that the North and South take turns occupying the presidency.
Kwankwaso argued that allowing a northern candidate to emerge in 2027, after the region had already produced the president for two consecutive terms, could trigger confusion and deepen political divisions.
“What is happening in the ADC will not help us. Some people want to create confusion by bringing a candidate from the North, knowing fully well that it is still the turn of the South,” he said.
He maintained that the presidency should return to the North after the South completes its turn.
‘I sacrificed my ambition for Obi’
Kwankwaso disclosed that he had contested for the presidency three consecutive times but decided to sacrifice his ambition to support Peter Obi, whom he described as a credible southern candidate.
He said both politicians shared common goals and ideological convictions, expressing confidence in their ability to manage Nigeria’s affairs.
“I sacrificed my ambition for Peter Obi because he is credible and from the South. We share common goals and ideology,” he added.
Kwankwaso insisted that allowing Obi to lead would promote national balance and strengthen peaceful coexistence.
Atiku urged to retire from presidential race
In a related development, Kwankwaso urged Atiku to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition, citing his age and health.
He made the appeal while receiving members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his Abuja residence.
Kwankwaso called on Atiku’s supporters to persuade him to concentrate on his traditional title as Waziri of Adamawa.
Atiku had previously hinted that the 2027 election could be his final presidential contest, acknowledging that the stakes were higher as he approached 80.
The former vice-president has contested the presidency several times, including in 2007, 2011, 2019 and 2023, but has yet to secure the nation’s highest political office.
His 2027 ambition is now facing fresh pressure as the debate over regional power rotation gathers momentum.
