North Should Not Use Population to Challenge Power Rotation

Former Zamfara State Governor Abdul’aziz Yari has cautioned northern politicians against using the region’s population as an argument to challenge political arrangements surrounding the rotation of presidential power.

Yari, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress, said political leaders should respect agreements reached among stakeholders rather than rely on population figures to justify changes to power-sharing arrangements.

He made the remarks while speaking on the debate over Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election and the possibility of power shifting between the northern and southern parts of the country.

Yari argued that population should not be the only consideration in determining who occupies the presidency, stressing the importance of political understanding and agreements among the country’s various regions.

According to him, the North should not assume that its larger population gives it an automatic right to retain presidential power whenever political arrangements provide for rotation.

The former governor said political leaders must consider the need for fairness and stability in managing Nigeria’s complex political structure.

He also warned against actions that could deepen regional tensions or undermine trust among the country’s major political blocs.

Yari’s position comes amid renewed debate over zoning and power rotation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The issue has become increasingly prominent as political parties and politicians begin positioning themselves for the next presidential contest.

Supporters of power rotation argue that alternating the presidency between the North and South can promote inclusiveness and political stability, while opponents maintain that candidates should be selected based primarily on competence, constitutional eligibility and electoral support.

Yari said political discussions should therefore focus on maintaining unity and respecting understandings reached between different groups.

He urged northern political leaders to engage other regions through dialogue rather than relying on demographic strength.

The former governor also called for a political approach that would reduce tension and encourage cooperation among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

His comments come as politicians across the country continue to debate the structure of political alliances and the distribution of elective offices ahead of 2027.

The question of whether the presidency should remain in the South or return to the North has remained one of the major issues shaping political discussions.

Yari’s remarks add to the growing calls for political leaders to handle the zoning debate with caution and consider the broader implications for national cohesion.

He maintained that population alone should not be used to determine political entitlement, urging stakeholders to respect existing political understandings while working toward a stable and inclusive political process.