- He argued that the former presidential candidate has consistently ignored this power-sharing principle in his past bids
- Onanuga also predicted that Atiku would be unsuccessful in the next election
- He concluded that Atiku’s arguments were self-serving and maintained that the 2027 presidency should remain in the South
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his renewed ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Onanuga accused Atiku of prioritising personal political goals over Nigeria’s informal zoning arrangement, which typically rotates the presidency between the North and South.
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He argued that the former presidential candidate has consistently ignored this power-sharing principle in his past bids, a situation he said contributed to internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, Atiku’s latest declaration of interest could create similar tensions in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) if he proceeds with the plan.
Onanuga also predicted that Atiku would be unsuccessful in the next election, insisting that the former vice president continues to repeat what he described as political miscalculations.
Reacting to Atiku’s comments during a recent Arise News interview, where he dismissed zoning and argued that the South has held power longer since 1999, Onanuga dismissed the claim as misleading political interpretation.
He maintained that the rotation principle should be respected to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete a full eight-year tenure before power returns to the North.
Onanuga further argued that the South’s longer time in office was influenced by the brief interruption caused by the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which led to Goodluck Jonathan’s succession.
He insisted this did not invalidate the broader understanding of rotational leadership.
He concluded that Atiku’s arguments were self-serving and maintained that the 2027 presidency should remain in the South, urging the former vice president to abandon his ambition.
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