Power Rotation: A Reality Check
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide and ex-Director General of the Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation, has stated that the presidency will remain in the South come 2027, dismissing any potential shift of power to the North.
Okupe acknowledged the growing mobilization among northern elites and young political minds, describing it as a positive step towards addressing long-standing neglect of the region’s masses. However, he dismissed the possibility of a northern presidency in 2027, citing Nigeria’s established tradition of power rotation.
“Power cannot return to the North. We rotate between the North and the South. The North does eight years, after which the South does eight years,” Okupe stated. “I’m not saying that Bola Tinubu must be president in 2027, but it is not going to be a northerner.”
Okupe highlighted the historical precedent of balancing regional representation in leadership to maintain national unity, citing past instances such as the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, which followed an unwritten consensus to assuage the South-West after the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
He argued that the rotation of power is essential to maintaining national unity and stability, emphasizing that the stakeholders’ priority is national interest rather than sectional interest.
Challenges to Rotation
Okupe acknowledged concerns from some northerners that a southern president in 2027 might seek to extend their tenure beyond the agreed rotation, describing the situation as a “political quagmire.”
He argued that any attempt to field another southern candidate against Tinubu could inadvertently prolong southern dominance, given the absence of enforceable agreements to limit a tenure to one term.
“It’s a political quagmire. If the North decides to field another southern candidate against Bola Tinubu, then the North will have shot itself on the leg. Don’t forget, this is a third-world country. Let us assume that you bring a new person and he wins. There’s no agreement he will make with you. He will not spend another eight years. So, you just extended the lifespan of the rotation to the South by another four years. What has Tinubu done? Let’s come to terms with this. Tinubu has come with very serious reforms that will take the country away from the situation which it has been undergoing for the past eight to ten years,” Okupe said.
Tinubu’s Reforms: A Necessary Adjustment
Okupe praised President Tinubu’s administration for its bold economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of exchange rates, describing these measures as essential steps to stabilize a nation on the brink of collapse.
He acknowledged the public’s frustration with rising costs, including fuel prices and inflation, but emphasized that these sacrifices were necessary to avert economic catastrophe.
Okupe urged Nigerians to exercise patience, arguing that it was premature to judge Tinubu’s administration after just 18 months. He called for understanding of the administration’s efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic recovery.
