Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide and the ex-Director General of the Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign Organization, has asserted that the presidency will remain in the southern region of Nigeria come 2027, firmly rejecting any notion of a power shift back to the north.
In a recent interview, Okupe acknowledged the increasing mobilization among northern elites and emerging political figures, viewing this as a positive development aimed at addressing the historical neglect of the northern populace. However, he expressed skepticism about the prospect of a northern presidency in the upcoming election, referencing Nigeria’s established tradition of power rotation.
“Power will not revert to the North. We have a system where it alternates between the Northern and Southern regions. After eight years in the North, it is the South’s turn for eight years,” Okupe explained. “While I am not suggesting that Bola Tinubu must be the president in 2027, it certainly will not be a candidate from the North.”
He underscored the importance of historical precedents in ensuring balanced regional representation in leadership roles, which he believes is vital for maintaining national cohesion. He referenced previous events, such as the election of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, which followed an unwritten agreement to favor the South-West after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Okupe stated, “When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo assumed the presidency, there was an implicit national consensus that a leader from the South-West should take office. The two candidates in that election were Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae, meaning the South-West would win regardless.”
He elaborated on the rationale behind this political concession, noting that it was a response to the death of Chief MKO Abiola, who was widely believed to have won the election. “The stakeholders at the time recognized the need to address the grievances of the South-West. This was not merely about northern interests; it was a matter of national interest,” he added.
In addressing worries from some northern factions regarding the potential for a southern president to extend their term beyond the established rotation, Okupe labeled the situation a “political quagmire.” He cautioned that putting forth another southern candidate against Tinubu could inadvertently reinforce southern dominance, especially since there are no binding agreements to restrict a president’s tenure to one term.
