Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former spokesman and ex-Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, has stated that the presidency should return to the south in 2027, ruling out the possibility of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerging as Nigeria’s president.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, Okupe argued that while Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, is eminently qualified, geopolitical considerations make his candidacy unsuitable.
According to Okupe, fairness dictates that the south completes its eight-year tenure following President Bola Tinubu’s term, mirroring the north’s eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Atiku did not lose in 2023 due to a lack of competence but because the idea of a northern Muslim succeeding another northern Muslim was untenable.
“If Atiku contests in 2027, he has every right and is undoubtedly one of the best candidates. However, geopolitical considerations persist. A southerner would have only completed four years and needs another term.
“It’s an unwritten agreement that when a northerner serves eight years, a southerner follows. Breaking this balance in 2027 would not work,” Okupe stated.
He added that Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, could also contest in 2027 as a southerner but noted it would be challenging to unseat Tinubu if he continues to perform well.
“Obi is dynamic and ambitious, but geopolitics remains crucial in a country still striving for unity. Tinubu, a southerner, is currently delivering results. I wish Obi luck, but it will be an uphill battle,” Okupe remarked.
Regarding alliances aimed at unseating Tinubu, Okupe dismissed their chances, citing a lack of willingness among opposition leaders to make necessary concessions.
“I’ve been in politics for over 40 years and participated in several alliances. Most fail due to selfishness and a lack of maturity.
“Even the successful alliance that brought Buhari to power in 2015 worked because Tinubu made significant concessions to ensure its success,” he said.
Okupe expressed doubts about the readiness of opposition leaders such as Atiku, Obi, and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to unite behind a single candidate, describing such maturity as lacking in the current political landscape.
On Tinubu’s performance, Okupe lauded his leadership, describing him as purposeful, zealous, and clear about his vision for Nigeria.
“Tinubu’s emergence in 2023 is a blessing for Nigeria. It took Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew 31 years to transform his country into a first-world nation. Nigeria must decide whether to embrace progress or continue playing politics at the expense of future generations,” he concluded. (NAN)
