Dr. Doyin Okupe, former spokesperson and ex-Director-General of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organization, has called for the presidency to return to the south in 2027, rejecting the possibility of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, assuming office.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, Okupe acknowledged Atiku’s qualifications but argued that geopolitical factors make his candidacy unsuitable. He stressed that fairness dictates a southerner should complete an eight-year term after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure, mirroring the north’s eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Atiku’s loss in 2023 was not due to a lack of competence but because the idea of a northern Muslim succeeding another northern Muslim was untenable,” Okupe explained. He added, “If Atiku contests in 2027, he has every right and is undoubtedly one of the best candidates. However, the south has only completed four years under Tinubu 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 also discussed the potential for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to contest in 2027 as a southerner. However, he noted that challenging Tinubu would be difficult if the president 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 stated.

When addressing opposition alliances aiming to challenge Tinubu, Okupe expressed doubts about their success, 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,” Okupe said. “Even the successful alliance that brought Buhari to power in 2015 worked because Tinubu made significant concessions to ensure its success.”

Okupe expressed skepticism about the readiness of opposition leaders like Atiku, Obi, and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to unite behind a single candidate, describing such maturity as lacking in today’s political climate.

On Tinubu’s leadership, Okupe praised his vision, describing him as purposeful, zealous, and clear about his plans 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,” Okupe concluded.