Tinubu's envoys: Power shouldn't return North after one Southern term

From our vantage point at The Punch, the recent pronouncements by Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri regarding the rotation of power in Nigeria are not just political statements but reflections of a deeply ingrained debate about fairness and national unity. As ambassador-designates, their public declaration carries significant weight, signaling a potential alignment within President Bola Tinubu's administration on this sensitive issue.

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We view it as unpatriotic and inimical to the unity, equilibrium, and progress of Nigeria for anyone to even conceive of power returning to Northern Nigeria after only one term of four years, during which it was domiciled in Southern Nigeria.

Their argument that the North has had its turn and that the South deserves a full two terms before any power shift is a direct challenge to certain political calculations and aspirations. It underscores the unwritten but widely acknowledged 'gentleman's agreement' on power rotation, a pact many believe is crucial for Nigeria's democratic stability. The reference to the "chief architect" of the North's return to power in 2015 is a pointed reminder of past political alliances and the complex interplay of regional interests.

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We are of the opinion that one good turn deserves another and that one good term deserves another.

While Western media might view this as a simple political maneuver, for Nigerians, it touches upon fundamental questions of representation and equity. The emphasis on "reciprocity" and "one good turn deserves another" resonates deeply in a nation where historical grievances and regional balances are constant considerations. The claim of economic achievements, such as adding $67 billion to the economy and Nigeria becoming the sixth largest contributor to global GDP growth, serves as a justification for continued Southern leadership, framing the debate within a context of performance and progress.

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It is in the best interest of the stability, unity, and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in keeping with the Gentleman’s Agreement which ushered in our Fourth Republic in 1999, after sixteen years of turbulence and political instability, for there to be a balanced and orderly rotation of power in Nigeria between the North and the South.

This discussion is particularly vital from a Nigerian perspective because it directly impacts the country's fragile political equilibrium. The potential for this stance to either solidify or fracture existing political alliances is immense. The Punch, as a leading voice in Nigerian journalism, aims to present these complex dynamics, allowing our readers to understand the nuances of power-sharing and its implications for the nation's future, a perspective often lost in broader international coverage.

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Northern Nigeria, having “completed and made full and unfettered use of two terms of four years under the Muhammadu Buhari administration,” had exhausted its turn in the rotation and must now yield.