Dr Doyin Okupe, a former Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, has called for the South to produce Nigeria’s president in 2027.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, Okupe argued that it would only be fair for the South to lead next.
While acknowledging the qualifications of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Okupe expressed his belief that Atiku should not pursue the presidency in 2027.
According to the former presidential spokesperson, the issue with Atiku’s candidacy is rooted in geopolitics rather than age. He insisted that the South should be allowed to complete an eight-year presidential term, just as the North did before the emergence of Bola Tinubu.
“Atiku failed in 2023, not because he was not a good person, but because people felt that a northern Muslim cannot succeed another northern Muslim after eight years.
“If Atiku still contests in 2027, he has a right. He is eminently qualified and one of the best we have, but geopolitics is an issue.
“The conditionality still persists; a southerner would have just completed four years and needs another four-year term.
“It’s not in the constitution, but we agree that when a northerner does his eight years, a southerner will do.
“So, the North cannot now terminate the tenure of the South in 2027. It is not going to work,” Okupe said.
Former Labour Party chieftain Dr. Doyin Okupe has stated that Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, could also contest for the presidency in 2027 as a representative of the South.
However, Okupe noted that it would be extremely challenging for Obi to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing the possibility of political alliances to defeat Tinubu in 2027, Okupe expressed skepticism, stating that he does not foresee any coalition of politicians or parties succeeding against the President.
He attributed this to the unwillingness of alliance members to make necessary concessions. Drawing a comparison to the coalition that brought former President Muhammadu Buhari to power in 2015, Okupe acknowledged Tinubu’s pivotal role in making that alliance successful by conceding significantly to others.
Okupe expressed doubt that opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), who have reportedly considered forming an alliance against Tinubu, would be prepared to make similar compromises.
