Former Borno State Governor and ex-Senator, Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should postpone any ambition to become Nigeria’s president until 2031 if he intends to respect the country’s informal power-sharing arrangement.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, July 6, 2026, Sheriff stressed that although every qualified Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for the presidency, political leaders should also consider the zoning principle, which promotes the rotation of power between the North and the South.
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According to Sheriff, the current political arrangement favors the South completing its turn in office before power returns to the North. He argued that respecting this understanding would strengthen confidence among political stakeholders and help preserve national unity.
During the interview, Sheriff stated, “If Atiku Abubakar wants to be president, he has to wait until 2031.” He maintained that allowing the South to retain the presidency until then would be consistent with the country’s power rotation tradition.
Sheriff further explained that adherence to the zoning principle could reduce political tension and disagreements over succession, while also encouraging greater stability within Nigeria’s democratic system. He suggested that political actors should prioritize national cohesion over personal ambitions.
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The former senator also called on politicians to shift their attention to issues that directly affect the lives of Nigerians. He urged leaders to focus on improving security, strengthening the economy, and delivering effective governance instead of allowing early election campaigns to dominate the political space.
He argued that maintaining the existing political understanding would help create a more stable environment for Nigeria’s democracy and reduce unnecessary political disputes ahead of the next presidential contest..Click to Complete>>>