Okupe Predicts Southern Presidency in 2027, Dismisses Northern Challenge
Dr. Doyin Okupe, former presidential aide and ex-Director General of the Peter Obi 2023 Presidential Campaign Organization, has declared that the presidency will remain in the South in 2027, dismissing any possibility of power shifting back to the North.
In an interview with The Sun, Okupe acknowledged the growing political mobilization in the North but reaffirmed Nigeria’s tradition of power rotation, emphasizing that the South will retain the presidency after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.
Okupe pointed to Nigeria’s longstanding practice of alternating the presidency between the North and South, explaining that after the North completes its eight-year term, the South will take its turn. He clarified, “Power cannot return to the North. We rotate between the North and the South. The North does eight years, after which the South does eight years.” While not explicitly endorsing Tinubu for the 2027 election, Okupe firmly stated, “It is not going to be a northerner.”
Historical Precedents and National Unity
Okupe also referenced historical precedents to support his position. He highlighted the case of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose presidency in 1999 was the result of an unwritten national consensus. This agreement was seen as a way to address the South-West’s grievances following the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election and the death of Chief MKO Abiola, who was presumed to have won the election. Okupe argued that this national concession was motivated by broader national interests, not sectional ones.
“It was not a question of Northern interest. Those who controlled the affairs of the nation politically before now were more interested in national interest than sectional interest,” Okupe explained. He lamented Nigeria’s failure to evolve a national elite system that prioritizes the country’s collective progress over regional divisions, calling this a key issue contributing to Nigeria’s stagnation.
Challenges and Political Quagmire in 2027
Responding to concerns from some northern elites that a southern president in 2027 might attempt to extend their tenure beyond the agreed-upon rotation, Okupe described this as a “political quagmire.” He cautioned that if the North were to field another southern candidate against Bola Tinubu, it could unintentionally extend southern dominance due to the absence of enforceable agreements on term limits.
“It’s a political quagmire,” Okupe said. He warned that any new southern candidate elected would likely not honor an agreement to serve just one term, thereby prolonging southern control of the presidency. According to Okupe, such a scenario would ultimately backfire for the North.
Okupe acknowledged the significant reforms that President Tinubu’s administration has initiated, particularly in the areas of fuel subsidy removal and the unification of exchange rates. He argued that while these measures have led to short-term economic challenges, they are essential steps toward stabilizing a nation that was on the brink of economic collapse under the previous administration.
Tinubu’s Reforms: A Long-Term Necessity
Despite the public discontent over rising fuel prices, inflation, and economic hardships, Okupe expressed strong support for Tinubu’s bold economic reforms. He pointed to the dire state of the nation’s finances, with 98% of government revenue previously allocated to debt servicing, as justification for the necessary changes.
Okupe compared Nigeria’s situation to that of other nations, such as Venezuela and Zimbabwe, which experienced severe economic downturns despite being rich in natural resources. He urged Nigerians to remain patient, arguing that the sacrifices made now were necessary to avoid a more severe economic crisis in the future.
“The reforms are necessary to stabilize a nation on the brink of collapse,” Okupe stated. He encouraged Nigerians to give the Tinubu administration time to implement its economic policies and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery. “It is too early to judge this administration after just 18 months. The foundation being laid will ensure a better future,” he concluded.
