Nigeria’s political scene grew tense after Bayo Onanuga, a senior aide to President Bola Tinubu, told former vice president Atiku Abubakar to “bury” his ambition for 2027. Onanuga’s remarks came in response to Atiku’s fresh comments on power rotation, which suggested that the presidency should return to northern Nigeria after Tinubu’s tenure.
Atiku, who has contested multiple presidential elections, argued that Nigeria’s stability depends on respecting regional balance in leadership. His statement reignited debate over zoning, a long-standing but informal arrangement meant to ensure fairness among the country’s diverse regions.
Onanuga dismissed Atiku’s position as self-serving, insisting that the opposition leader’s repeated bids for power have lost credibility. He said Nigerians are more concerned with governance and development than with political calculations about rotation. Supporters of Tinubu echoed this view, while Atiku’s allies countered that his comments reflect legitimate concerns about equity and inclusion in national politics.
