Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri have said that power should not return to Northern Nigeria in 2027.
In a statement released on Saturday, both ambassador-designates said the North already had two complete terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, with support from the South. Because of this, they believe the South should remain in power until 2031.
They said the rotation of power between the North and South was planned to keep peace, balance, and unity in Nigeria.
Part of their statement said that it would be unfair and harmful to Nigeria’s unity for power to go back to the North after the South has held it for only one four-year term.
They also pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu played a major role in helping power return to the North in 2015.
Fani-Kayode and Omokri added that supporting Tinubu for a second term is in the best interest of Nigeria’s stability and development. According to them, the agreement on power rotation since 1999 was created to maintain political balance between the North and the South.
Fani-Kayode and Omokri insisted that Nigeria’s stability depends on respecting the informal power-sharing arrangement between the North and the South.
They argued that any attempt to return the presidency to the North in 2027 would disrupt political balance and could create unnecessary tension in the country.
According to them, the South has only just begun its turn in the current political cycle and should be allowed to complete it without interruption.
They also maintained that past elections and leadership transitions were influenced by cooperation between both regions, which should be respected going forward.
The two politicians said their position is not personal but based on what they believe is best for national unity and long-term peace in Nigeria.
They further urged political actors across the country to avoid actions or statements that could deepen divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
