Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Bemigho Reno Omokri, have publicly stated that power should not return to Northern Nigeria in 2027, emphasizing the need for continued leadership from the South, particularly the South-South region, until 2031. In a joint statement released on Saturday, the two prominent figures argued that the North has already enjoyed two full, uninterrupted terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, with significant support from Southern Nigerians. They stressed that this historical context must be respected to maintain national stability and uphold the spirit of Nigeria’s power rotation agreement.
The statement highlighted that the North’s tenure in power under Buhari was not only complete but also uninterrupted, making it unjust and unpatriotic to expect a return to Northern leadership after just one term of Southern governance. They pointed out that the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, is the first Southern-led government since 2015, and that Tinubu himself was instrumental in facilitating the return of power to the North during that period. This, they argued, makes his continued leadership a matter of fairness and national balance.
Fani-Kayode and Omokri reaffirmed their belief in the Gentleman’s Agreement that guided Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule. According to them, this agreement, though not legally binding, has been a crucial factor in maintaining peace and political equilibrium across the country’s diverse regions. They emphasized that adhering to this arrangement is essential for national unity, progress, and long-term stability.
They further stated that allowing power to shift back to the North after only one term would undermine the principle of equitable rotation and could fuel regional tensions. The ambassadors-designate insisted that the South’s current tenure is not accidental but deliberate, and that it should be allowed to run its full course. Their position is rooted in the idea that political fairness and national cohesion should take precedence over regional ambitions.
The statement also noted that the current administration has not yet completed its first term, and that expecting a change in 2027 would be premature and disruptive. They called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s second term as a continuation of the agreed rotational framework. By doing so, they believe Nigeria can avoid the instability that has plagued the nation in the past.
As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, the views of Fani-Kayode and Omokri add to the growing discourse on power rotation and regional equity. Their stance underscores the importance of adhering to long-standing political agreements to ensure peaceful transitions and national unity in the years ahead.
Leave a Comment