After Tinubu, Presidency Will Return To North — Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu completes his tenure in office.

Zulum made the statement while speaking on political developments and the future of the country, amid growing discussions over power rotation between Nigeria’s North and South.

The governor said Nigerians should allow the current administration to complete its tenure before the North begins to seek the presidency again.

According to Zulum, political power should continue to rotate between the northern and southern regions of the country as part of efforts to promote fairness and political stability.

He also urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Federal Government as it continues efforts to address insecurity and other challenges affecting the country.

Zulum’s comments come as political activities and discussions around the 2027 presidential election continue to increase across the country.

The issue of zoning has remained a significant part of Nigeria’s political discourse, with politicians and political groups divided over whether presidential power should continue to rotate between the North and South.

The governor’s position suggests that the North would seek to reclaim the presidency after Tinubu’s tenure, potentially putting the issue of regional power rotation at the centre of political negotiations ahead of future elections.

However, Nigeria’s Constitution does not reserve the presidency for any particular region. The President is elected through the constitutional electoral process, meaning that the eventual outcome will depend on political parties, candidates and voters.

Zulum’s statement is therefore likely to fuel further debate among political stakeholders over zoning, power rotation and the criteria that should determine Nigeria’s next president.

Political Context

Governor Babagana Zulum’s remarks have again brought the question of North-South power rotation into the national political conversation.

While zoning has historically influenced political negotiations in Nigeria, it remains a political arrangement rather than a constitutional requirement.

The governor’s comments also raise questions about the future of presidential politics beyond the 2027 election, particularly whether political parties will continue to rely on regional rotation or place greater emphasis on candidates’ competence, performance and ability to address national challenges.

As political activities ahead of 2027 intensify, the debate over where political power should go next is expected to remain a major issue among Nigerians and political stakeholders.