The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, has sparked widespread criticism from northern leaders and political groups following his call for the region to abandon any ambition of contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Ganduje’s comments have ignited a fierce debate about democracy, political participation, and regional interests in Nigeria.
Ganduje, while hosting members of President Bola Tinubu’s Media Centre and the Tinubu Northern Youth Forum at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, urged northern politicians to “perish” the idea of running for president in 2027.
He argued that since a northern leader had occupied the presidency for eight years, the next president should come from the South, and after Tinubu’s expected second term, the presidency would rotate back to the North.
“Expectations that the North will produce the President in 2027 should be perished,” Ganduje stated. “When a leader from the northern part of this country was in office for eight years, we advocated that the next president in our party should come from the South.”
This statement has drawn sharp reactions from several northern stakeholders. Dr. Bitrus Pogu, National President of the Middle Belt Forum, described Ganduje’s remarks as a “dangerous precedent,” asserting that the APC chairman is merely serving the interests of his “benefactor,” President Tinubu. “It is not surprising that he is supporting the President, despite northern resistance,” Pogu said.
Yerima Shettima, National President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, questioned Ganduje’s commitment to democracy. “Ganduje’s call raises disturbing questions about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “In a democratic society, every citizen has the right to contest for political office.
By discouraging potential candidates from running for office, Ganduje is limiting political competition and stifling the democratic process.”
Former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing that political unity in the North is often fragmented when it comes to partisan politics.
“The North can be united politically on real issues, but when it comes to partisan politics, the North does not act in unison,” Sani explained.
Emmanuel Obe, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) North-West, questioned the premature focus on the 2027 election, urging leaders to prioritize current issues over future political ambitions. “Nigerians are suffering, and the least expectation is to provide them with basic needs,” Obe stated.
Suleiman Abdul-Azeez, Director of NGOs and SCOs at the Northern Elders Forum, criticized Ganduje’s position as undemocratic.
“Ganduje is stifling the democratic process and denying the people of the North their right to choose their own leaders,” he said. “Such calls set a dangerous precedent for future elections and undermine the democratic values of inclusiveness and diversity.”
As the 2027 election approaches, Ganduje’s remarks have reignited the ongoing debate on zoning, political participation, and regional representation in Nigeria’s democracy.
