As speculation grows over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s possible presidential bid in 2027, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has urged him to respect Nigeria’s unwritten power rotation agreement, stressing that the presidency should remain in the South.

Speaking on Monday at the “Guest Forum” organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council, Showunmi, a former spokesman for Atiku, said the political timing in Nigeria is crucial.

Showunmi explained that the presidency must follow a pendulum system, reflecting Nigeria’s history as a union of the Northern and Southern Protectorates.

According to Showunmi, after eight years of Northern leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari, the South is widely expected to produce the president in 2027.

He said any attempt to push power back to the North could create tensions among southern and Middle Belt groups who view rotation as a matter of fairness.

“I love Atiku, but I am afraid he’s a man who does not understand the concept of seasons and time,” he said.

He added: “When it swung to the North, Buhari did his eight years. Now it has swung to the South. You can quarrel among yourselves in the South, but it will have to remain in the South. If the North insists on taking it out of turn, it could jeopardize the balance and fairness expected in our polity.”

Showunmi also addressed Atiku’s ambition directly, saying that respecting the rotation principle is essential for maintaining national cohesion and preventing friction across regions.

On a related note, Showunmi spoke about the Alternative Movement, describing it as a civic platform, not a political party, designed to encourage broader political participation, particularly among young Nigerians, as a way to strengthen democracy.

The forum, according to Peter Moses, Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, provides an avenue for constructive public engagement, allowing journalists and policymakers to discuss issues that shape the nation and deepen democratic values.