2027: Keep To Zoning, Kwankwaso Warns Atiku, ADC Against Northern Presidency
Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against pushing for another northern presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso insisted that it is still the South’s turn to produce Nigeria’s next president under the country’s established power-rotation arrangement.
He made the remarks on Sunday during an interactive session with journalists at his residence in Kano.
Although acknowledging that zoning is not constitutionally guaranteed, the former Kano State governor argued that fairness and political stability require the North and South to respect the principle of rotational presidency.
He warned that presenting another northern candidate could generate political confusion, deepen regional divisions and threaten peaceful coexistence.
Kwankwaso specifically urged Atiku to shelve his presidential ambition and support former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whom he described as a credible southern candidate.
He explained that after the South completes its turn, presidential power should return to the North.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate also recalled that he had contested for president three consecutive times but eventually decided to put his ambition aside to support Obi.
“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. After Obi presidency, it will return to the North,” he said.
Kwankwaso maintained that his decision to support Obi was informed by their shared political beliefs and confidence in the former Anambra State governor’s leadership capacity.
“I sacrificed my ambition for Peter Obi because he is credible and from the South. We share common goals and ideology. We are strong and can manage the affairs of this country with ease,” he added.
He further argued that allowing Obi to lead the country would promote political balance and strengthen the principle of fairness in Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement.
