2027: Group Backs Akande’s Call on Maintaining Rotational Presidency
Says Consensus Is A Lubricant for Balance of Power
A group, Yoruba Youth Pacesetter (YYP), has backed the former Presidential spokesperson, Laolu Akande, on his call on the political gladiators in the country not to tamper with the rotational presidency.
The group in a statement signed by its National President, Dapo Fasola, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Sunday, said Akande’s position aligns with the belief of the YYP that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a southerner, should be allowed to complete the two-term of southern presidency.
Akande, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) in an interview with newsmen had posited that the current rotational presidency put in place since 1999 must not be truncated for fairness and balance.
According to him, the political merger talks and plots to return power to the North in 2027 is a ‘child’s play”, stressing that the presidency has come to stay in Nigeria.
Corroborating Akande’s position, the YYP in the statement, however, noted that rotational presidency might not be enshrined in the country’s constitution, “it has remained a political consensus and lubricant” that has helped in maintaining balance of power between the North and the South of Nigeria.
Fasola stated that Nigeria as a peculiar nation, has designed an agreed mechanism by which power rotation will be maintained between the northern and southern region, pointing out that it is fair and equitable for President Tinubu to complete the two-terms of eight years of southern presidency.
He added that the current president worked assiduously to ensure former President Muhammadu Buhari completed two terms in office despite huge opposition from the south, particularly the southwest.
The YPP National President noted further that opposition is mounting from the North as a result of some policies of President Tinubu-led administration perceived to be anti-north, declaring that no amouth of political merging, alignment and realignment can dislodge the incumbent presidency in 2027.
While expressing his confidence that President Tinubu will be reelected for a second term in office, Fasola said that Nigerians are beginning to reap the dividends of various policies out in place to revamp the country’s economy by the Tinubu’s administration.
“At the YYP, we strongly believe in fairness, equity and justice, which is why we are coming out to back Mr Akande’s position on the rotational presidency. Since 1999, this system has been adopted to ensure balance of power between the North and South of Nigeria. And this system, though not enshrined in our constitution, rotational presidency has kept us going as a nation.
“No doubt, opposition will mount against any ruling party in power, especially at the national level. Therefore, the ongoing talks of political merging ahead of the 2027, particularly in the North is normal. But, the scheme being championed by those who feel they are out of the current political calculation majorly from the North, will be futile.
“Though the YYP is a pan-Yoruba youth group, the group will always advocate for justice, equity, fairness and balance in the country. Thus, we will continue to support any group or individual that is working to ensure the nation is run according to the agreed consensus, to enhance national understanding, tranquility and peace.
“Our stance on the rotational presidency remains firm and we will continue to push this frontier, and work towards political situation that will ensure stability in Nigeria”, the statement reads partly.
Fasola, however, submitted that the group will soon embark on sensitisation campaigns in the southwest and other geo-political zones of the country, to rally support for the reelection of President Tinubu come 2027.
