Prominent figures from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside from the 2027 presidential race, arguing that power should remain in the South for another term.
Diran Odeyemi, a member of the PDP National Executive Committee, and Labour Party chieftain, Anslem Eragbe, stated that the principle of power rotation should be upheld, ensuring that the South gets a full eight-year leadership cycle.
Power Rotation and the 2027 Election
Eragbe, in an interview, emphasized that Atiku should not have contested the 2023 election, as it was the South’s turn to produce a president.
He insisted that from 2027 to 2031, the presidency should remain in the South, preferably in the South-South region.
“The South-South has spent the least time in power, with just five years under Goodluck Jonathan. It deserves another opportunity to lead,” Eragbe stated.
He urged political parties to field credible candidates, focusing on merit rather than financial influence, to ensure fairness in the electoral process.
PDP Crisis and Atiku’s Role
Odeyemi attributed the lingering crisis in the PDP to Atiku’s insistence on contesting in 2023.
He suggested that if Atiku publicly withdrew his 2027 ambitions, it could help stabilize the party.
“The 2023 election was meant to be between two Southern candidates, as former President Muhammadu Buhari had just completed eight years.
Atiku’s decision to contest disrupted that arrangement, leading to internal conflicts in the PDP,” Odeyemi explained.
With the 2027 election fast approaching, the debate over power rotation continues to gain momentum, shaping the strategies of Nigeria’s major political parties.
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