Former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff says Atiku Abubakar should wait until 2031 to contest for Nigeria’s presidency, insisting that power should remain in the South until then.
As discussions ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum, political leaders across Nigeria have started sharing their views on who should lead the country after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term. One of the latest voices to join the debate is former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, who believes the presidency should remain in the South until 2031. His comments have once again brought the issue of power rotation between the North and South into national conversation.
According to reports monitored by Valid9ja, Sheriff said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should wait until 2031 if he still hopes to become Nigeria’s president. He argued that it is not yet the North’s turn to produce the country’s leader, adding that the existing power-sharing arrangement should be respected for the sake of national unity and political stability. Information obtained by Valid9ja shows that Sheriff believes allowing the South to complete its expected period in office will strengthen trust among Nigeria’s different regions and reduce unnecessary political tension.
Valid9ja gathered that Sheriff made the remarks while speaking about the political landscape ahead of the next election cycle. He maintained that zoning has remained an important part of Nigeria’s democratic system because it gives every region a sense of belonging. According to him, after the North held power for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, fairness demands that the South should also complete its own period before the presidency returns to the North. Although he acknowledged Atiku’s experience in Nigerian politics, Sheriff insisted that timing remains an important factor in the country’s leadership arrangement.
His comments have already generated mixed reactions among politicians, party supporters and members of the public. While some Nigerians agree that respecting the informal zoning arrangement could help preserve national unity, others argue that the country’s leadership should be determined mainly by competence, vision and the will of the voters rather than geographical rotation. Atiku Abubakar, who has contested for the presidency several times and remains one of the country’s most recognised opposition figures, has yet to officially declare whether he will contest the 2027 presidential election. However, discussions around his political future continue to dominate conversations within opposition circles.
The statement from Sheriff is significant because it highlights the growing political calculations already taking shape ahead of 2027, even though the election is still some time away. According to reports monitored by Valid9ja, debates over zoning, regional balance and party strategy are expected to play a major role in determining how political parties choose their candidates. These discussions could also influence alliances, defections and campaign strategies in the months ahead. For many Nigerians, the bigger concern remains whether future leaders, regardless of their region, can address the country’s economic challenges, insecurity, unemployment and rising cost of living.
In our opinion, conversations about zoning are important because they reflect Nigeria’s unique political structure and the need to promote inclusion among different regions. However, beyond where a candidate comes from, many citizens are more interested in leaders who can improve security, create jobs, strengthen the economy and deliver good governance. As political activities gradually intensify, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how major political figures position themselves ahead of the next presidential race.