Former Labour Party (LP) chieftain Doyin Okupe has asserted that the North should abandon any hopes of returning to the presidency in 2027. He stated unequivocally that the North must recognize the reality of this situation.
In a recent interview, Okupe emphasized an unwritten agreement regarding power rotation between the North and South, which he believes must be honored.
On the subject of President Bola Tinubu, Okupe clarified that while it is not mandatory for the current leader to remain in power in 2027, the next president must be from the South, not the North.
He remarked, “Those who have historically governed this nation prioritized national interests over regional ones. Our inability to develop a cohesive national elite is a key factor contributing to Nigeria’s stagnation, as we often pull in different directions.”
Referring to the upcoming election, Okupe asserted, “Politically speaking, I can state with complete confidence that power cannot revert to the North in 2027. That’s simply not how we operate.”
He elaborated on the established rotation system, stating, “The North serves for eight years, followed by eight years for the South.” He added, “I’m not suggesting that Bola Tinubu must be president in 2027, but it certainly won’t be a northerner.”
Okupe also expressed disappointment in former Nigerian leaders, including Ibrahim Babangida, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and TY Danjuma, for failing to cultivate a younger generation capable of stepping into leadership roles.
“These individuals have influenced the political balancing of our country for the past 25 years. Regrettably, they have not succeeded in fostering an elite class of younger leaders who can effectively take over from them,” he stated.
He warned the North against endorsing another southern candidate to oppose President Tinubu in the 2027 election, cautioning that this could lead to further complications for the North if such a candidate were to remain in power for another eight years before they could reclaim the presidency.
Okupe commended the reforms initiated by President Tinubu, suggesting that while the current challenges may be painful, the benefits will soon become apparent.
