Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has said it is only fair for southern Nigeria to complete an eight-year presidency, as debate over the 2027 election begins.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Saraki also ruled out any plan to contest for president in 2027, stressing that “I think it is only fair to allow the South to complete its eight years,” he said, adding that he supports zoning the presidency to the region.
Saraki explained that he backed the position during internal discussions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to him, party leaders agreed that the presidency should be zoned to the South ahead of the next election.
He said the decision reflects a commitment to balance and fairness in Nigeria’s political structure.
“In the meeting we held about the 2027 election, we said the presidency should come from the South, and I abide by that,” he said.
The former Kwara State governor noted that the PDP adopted a different approach in the 2023 election, when candidates were allowed to emerge from any region.
However, he said the party has now taken a clearer stance on zoning for 2027, which influenced his decision not to run.
Saraki’s comments come as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the next general election, with zoning expected to remain a key issue in party strategies.
Analysts say the debate over power rotation between the North and South is likely to shape candidate selection and voter expectations in the coming years.
