Atiku misreads political timing, rotation must be respected – Showunmi

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State,  Segun Showunmi, has argued that retaining presidential power in the South beyond 2027 is vital for safeguarding Nigeria’s political equilibrium and respecting an unwritten rotational understanding that has long contributed to national stability.

Showunmi made the remarks on Monday in Abeokuta at the ‘Guest Forum’ organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council.

He said Nigeria’s origins as a merger of the former Northern and Southern Protectorates make it important for political actors to acknowledge the value of timing, balance, and rotation in the leadership arrangement. Although he expressed deep respect for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he insisted that the current political season demands sensitivity to the country’s established power-sharing rhythm.

“I love Atiku, but I fear he does not fully appreciate the importance of seasons and timing,” Showunmi said, reminding his audience that the North occupied the presidency for eight years under Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, many Nigerians therefore expect the South to maintain its hold on the presidency in the ongoing cycle. He added that internal disagreements within the South are natural, but such differences do not alter the broader expectation that the region should continue to produce the president at this stage.

He warned that any attempt to redirect power to the North in 2027 could heighten tensions, especially among southern and Middle Belt communities that consider rotation a matter of equity.

Expanding on Atiku’s potential 2027 ambition, he said: “When the pendulum swings to the North, it stays there, as it did during Buhari’s eight years. It has now swung to the South. Southerners may quarrel among themselves, but power should remain in the region. If the North insists on taking it back prematurely, they risk provoking a political lock-up from the South and the Middle Belt.”

Showunmi also spoke on the ‘Alternative Movement’, clarifying that the initiative is not a political party but a civic-driven platform intended to inspire broader public participation in governance, particularly among young people. Such participation, he said, is crucial for strengthening the democratic system.

Earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Peter Moses, said the “Guest Forum’ was created to provide a space for meaningful public engagement with policymakers and influential figures on issues that shape society. He noted that journalists carry a responsibility beyond routine reporting, including promoting discussions that reinforce democratic principles.