Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against pushing for a northern presidential candidate in 2027, insisting that the South should produce Nigeria’s next president.

Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said the country’s power rotation arrangement should be respected to prevent political tension and deepen national unity.

He made the remarks on Sunday during an interactive session with journalists at his residence in Kano, where he criticised moves within the ADC that could lead to the emergence of a northern presidential candidate.

Although zoning is not expressly provided for in the Constitution, Kwankwaso argued that fairness and political understanding required the North and South to take turns in producing the president.

He said allowing another northern candidate to contest in 2027 would disrupt the arrangement, potentially creating confusion and disharmony across the country.

Kwankwaso specifically urged Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to shelve his ambition and support Peter Obi, arguing that the South should be allowed to complete its turn before power returns to the North.

“What is happening in the ADC will not help us. Some people want to create confusion by bringing a candidate from the North, knowing fully well that it is still the turn of the South. After Obi presidency, it will return to the North,” he said.

The former governor also said he had put aside his own presidential ambition in support of Obi, whom he described as a credible candidate from the South with whom he shared political goals and ideology.

“I sacrificed my ambition for Peter Obi because he is credible and from the South. We share common goals and ideology. We are strong and can manage the affairs of this country with ease,” Kwankwaso added.

He recalled contesting for the presidency on three occasions but said he decided to step aside to support the South’s claim to the next turn.

The NDC chieftain maintained that allowing Obi to lead the country would preserve the balance in Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement, after which the presidency could return to the North.