A member of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), *Diran Odeyemi*, and a chieftain of the Labour Party, *Anslem Eragbe*, have advised former Vice President *Atiku Abubakar* against contesting the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the South should retain power for another eight years.
Both political figures argued that while the next president may not necessarily be *Bola Tinubu*, power should remain in the South until 2031 in the interest of fairness and political balance.
In an interview with *Sunday PUNCH*, Eragbe maintained that Atiku should not have contested in 2023, as it was the South’s turn to produce a president. He urged the former vice president to support younger candidates in 2027 instead of pursuing another bid for the presidency.
“Atiku was not supposed to contest the 2023 presidential election because it was the turn of southern Nigeria. It is the South’s turn until 2031,” Eragbe said. “Being a former vice president for eight years, Atiku understands Nigeria’s power equation. He should support younger Nigerians and provide guidance in 2027.”
While acknowledging that Atiku has the legal right to contest, Eragbe emphasized that the 2027 presidency should be zoned to the *South-South*, particularly the defunct *Mid-Western region*, now *Edo and Delta states*.
He noted that the South-South had held power for only five years under *Goodluck Jonathan*, making it the least-represented region in Nigeria’s presidency.
“When compared with other geopolitical zones, the South-South has ruled the least, spending only five years. It is only fair that the region produces Nigeria’s next president in 2027,” he added.
Similarly, PDP NEC member Odeyemi blamed Atiku’s decision to run in 2023 for the party’s internal crisis and urged him to withdraw from the 2027 race.
“The 2023 election was originally supposed to be between southern candidates, as former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, had just completed eight years in office. However, Atiku insisted on contesting, which is why there is a crisis in the PDP,” Odeyemi said.
He argued that if Atiku abandoned his ambition, the PDP would regain stability and have a better chance of reclaiming power in 2027.
With the next election cycle approaching, debates over zoning and regional representation are expected to shape Nigeria’s political landscape, as parties strategize on candidates to field for the presidency.
