By Amofokhai Williams
The Presidency has taken a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his recent comments on Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement, accusing him of advancing what it described as a “self-serving argument” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X on Thursday, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga criticised Atiku for revisiting his position on zoning, warning that his stance could further inflame political tensions.
“This Atiku will never learn,” Onanuga said.
He accused the former presidential candidate of attempting to undermine the long-standing North-South power rotation principle, which has shaped Nigeria’s political balance since the return to democracy in 1999.
“Once again, Abubakar Atiku has put forward a self-serving argument to justify his attempt to disrupt Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement,” Onanuga stated.
The presidential aide recalled that Atiku’s 2023 presidential ambition, which saw him contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite zoning expectations, contributed to internal divisions within the party.
“His ambition fractured the PDP, leading to his resounding defeat at the polls,” he added.
Onanuga further alleged that Atiku was positioning himself for another presidential run in 2027, warning that such a move would end in failure.
“Now, he stands poised to repeat history and face another doom. Another spectacular failure awaits this perennial candidate in the next election,” he said.
The controversy follows Atiku’s recent interview in which he argued that he was not bound by the power rotation principle, claiming that the South had spent more years in power since 1999.
However, Onanuga dismissed the argument as flawed.
“His political arithmetic is dubious,” he said, noting that the imbalance cited by Atiku was largely due to the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which led to Goodluck Jonathan’s succession.
He maintained that the zoning arrangement remained valid and should be respected by all political actors.
“This accidental breach does not invalidate the power rotation arrangement between the North and the South,” Onanuga said.
He insisted that, having completed eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North, the South should retain the presidency beyond 2023.
“Since Buhari completed his eight years, Tinubu too must complete his own,” he added.
Onanuga advised Atiku to abandon any plans to contest in 2027, stressing that the principle of rotation should guide political decisions.
“All Atiku needs to do is to bury the thought of running again, as it is still the South’s turn in the 2027 election,” he said.
