Presidency Slams Atiku Over Power Rotation Comments, Insists Tinubu Must Serve Full Term
The Presidency has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for attempting to justify his efforts to disrupt Nigeria's established power rotation arrangement, which is set to see President Bola Tinubu complete eight years in office. This rebuke came after Atiku appeared on Arise TV Prime Time on Wednesday night, where he made controversial statements about the zoning agreement observed by most political parties in the country.
Atiku's Argument on Zoning and Regional Tenure
During the interview, Atiku Abubakar stated that the Southern part of Nigeria has governed the country for 18 years since 1999, while the North has done so for only 10 years. He questioned, "So, who's in a deficit if we're being fair?" when reminded of the zoning agreement. The former Vice President also argued that the discussion on zoning is an error, emphasizing that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) practices zoning, implying other parties do not adhere to such arrangements.
Presidency's Response Through Bayo Onanuga
Reacting to Atiku's comments, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, stated that Atiku has yet to learn from historical lessons. Onanuga recalled that in the 2023 election, as a member of the PDP—a party that, like others, practices zoning—Atiku disregarded the established formula and sought to succeed a fellow northerner, Muhammadu Buhari, who had spent eight years in office.
"His ambition fractured the PDP, leading to his resounding defeat at the polls," Onanuga said. "Now, he stands poised to repeat history and face another doom. Another spectacular failure awaits this perennial candidate in the next election." Onanuga added that Atiku's Arise TV interview made him sound like the presumed candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), further criticizing his stance.
Warning to Peter Obi and Critique of Atiku's Arithmetic
The presidential spokesperson also issued a warning to presidential hopeful Peter Obi, suggesting he should prepare to distance himself from Atiku's position. Onanuga slammed Atiku for what he described as issuing dubious political arithmetic, accusing him of insisting he is not bound by the rotation formula because the South has spent more years in office than the North since 1999.
Onanuga pointed out that Atiku conveniently overlooks the fact that the North's shorter tenure was due to the untimely death of President Umaru Yar'Adua, which led to President Goodluck Jonathan's succession. "This accidental breach does not invalidate the power rotation arrangement between the North and the South," he stated. "Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own. All Atiku needs to do is to bury the thought of running again, as it is still the South's turn in the 2027 election."
Implications for Nigerian Politics
This exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Nigerian politics regarding power rotation and zoning agreements. The Presidency's firm stance underscores a commitment to maintaining the established rotational system, which aims to ensure equitable representation between the North and South. Atiku's comments have sparked debate, with critics arguing they could further polarize the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
As the situation develops, political analysts are watching closely to see how this dispute might influence party alignments and voter sentiments. The insistence on Tinubu completing his eight-year term reflects broader efforts to stabilize governance and adhere to constitutional and party frameworks in Nigeria's democratic process.
