Okechukwu Says Any Southerner Eyeing Presidency After Tinubu“Will Not Be Allowed”
By Erewunmi Peace
Osita Okechukwu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has said that any southerner who attempts to run for president after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure “will not be allowed.”
Speaking at an APC event in Enugu State, Okechukwu emphasized the importance of respecting Nigeria’s informal presidential zoning arrangement. He noted that after Tinubu’s expected second term concludes in 2031, it would be the North’s turn to produce the next president.
“By the time Tinubu finishes, any southerner who is coming for president, we will not allow the person,” Okechukwu reportedly said.
The statement aligns with a longstanding but unwritten political understanding in Nigeria, where the presidency rotates between the northern and southern regions to ensure balance and inclusivity.
However, experts note that zoning is a political practice, not a legal requirement, and any Nigerian citizen meeting the constitutional requirements can technically contest for the presidency.
Political analysts say Okechukwu’s comments are reflective of APC internal perspectives on succession and zoning, rather than an official government policy.
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The remarks have reignited discussions on presidential rotation, power sharing, and regional representation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
