Onanuga knocks Atiku over zoning remarks, says 2027 bid should be dropped

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on Nigeria’s power rotation, urging him to abandon any 2027 presidential ambition.

In a statement, Onanuga accused Atiku of attempting to upset the long-standing North-South zoning arrangement, warning that such a move could repeat the political missteps of 2023.

He noted that Atiku, as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, went against the party’s zoning principle by contesting after a northern presidency, a decision he said deepened divisions within the party and contributed to his loss.

Describing Atiku as a “perennial candidate,” Onanuga warned that a similar approach in 2027 could lead to another defeat.

Reacting to Atiku’s interview on Arise Television, he dismissed the argument that the South has held power longer since 1999 as misleading.

According to him, the imbalance was caused by the death of former President Umaru Yar’Adua, which paved the way for Goodluck Jonathan to assume office.

“Once again, Abubakar Atiku has put forward a self-serving argument to justify his attempt to disrupt Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement,” he said.

“His ambition fractured the PDP, leading to his resounding defeat at the polls.”

Onanuga insisted that the interruption in the North’s tenure does not invalidate the zoning framework.

“This accidental breach does not invalidate the power rotation arrangement between the North and the South,” he stated.

He maintained that the South should complete its turn, stressing that President Tinubu is expected to finish his tenure.

“All Atiku needs to do is to bury the thought of running again, as it is still the South’s turn in the 2027 election,” he added.

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