Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has called for the continuation of Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement between the North and South, urging northern presidential aspirants to wait until 2031 before seeking the nation’s highest office.
Yusuf made the appeal on Sunday at the Kano Government House while unveiling 50 vehicles donated by businessman and Niger Delta leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, to support campaign mobilisation activities of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, Yusuf argued that rotating presidential power between the two regions would promote fairness, inclusion and national cohesion.
The governor said each region should be allowed to complete a two-term presidential cycle to provide enough time for administrations to implement long-term policies and development programmes.
“I urge support for President Bola Tinubu to complete his second term because this would allow the South to complete its two-term cycle before power returns to the North,” Yusuf said.
He added:
“We should allow the South to complete its two-term cycle. After that, power will return to the North in 2031.”
The governor’s position effectively calls on northern politicians interested in contesting the presidency in 2027 to defer their ambitions until after the completion of the current political cycle.
Yusuf said rotational presidency remained important in strengthening trust among Nigeria’s diverse regions and ensuring that different parts of the country feel represented in national leadership.
“Rotational presidency is about fairness, equity and giving every part of the country a sense of belonging,” he said.
The Kano governor also urged political parties and stakeholders to ensure that campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections remain peaceful and focused on issues affecting Nigerians.
He advised politicians to prioritise policy discussions, development plans and programmes rather than personal attacks or statements capable of creating tension.
“Let us focus on issues, policies and programmes and avoid actions that can undermine peace and unity,” Yusuf said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, urging political actors to place the interests of Kano State and Nigeria above partisan differences.
His comments come as political discussions around the 2027 presidential election continue to intensify, with debates over regional balance, power-sharing arrangements and national leadership succession gaining renewed attention.
