By Philip Yatai
Abuja, Dec. 28, 2025 (NAN)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has forcefully reiterated a core principle of Nigeria’s contemporary political calculus: the necessity for the southern region to complete a full eight-year tenure in the presidency. This stance, framed as a matter of national fairness and the honoring of political agreements, places him at the center of a crucial debate on power rotation and national cohesion.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, during Christmas visits to Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas in Rivers State, Wike articulated a vision of political obligation that transcends immediate party loyalty.
The Core Argument: Equity as a National Imperative
Wike’s argument is rooted in the informal but powerful “zoning” or power rotation principle that has shaped Nigeria’s Fourth Republic since 1999. The precedent was set with President Olusegun Obasanjo (Southwest) serving two terms (1999-2007), followed by President Umaru Yar’Adua (North) whose term was cut short, and President Goodluck Jonathan (South-South) who completed Yar’Adua’s term and served one full term of his own. President Muhammadu Buhari (North) then served two terms from 2015 to 2023.
Wike contends that for this delicate balance to hold, the South, represented by the incumbent President Bola Tinubu (Southwest), must be allowed to complete two full terms, securing the presidency until 2031. “The South must complete their eight years. It doesn’t matter which party we belong to,” he declared, urging support for Tinubu’s success and a subsequent re-election bid. This perspective frames the 2027 election not merely as a contest between parties, but as a referendum on a foundational pact of Nigerian politics.
Beyond Partisanship: A Call for Honoring Agreements
A significant layer of Wike’s message is his explicit decoupling of this principle from partisan identity. He advised politicians to “honour political agreements to build the needed trust, confidence and harmony.” This is a pointed commentary on the frequent breakdown of such gentleman’s agreements, which often leads to political instability and regional distrust. By stating that “party affiliation should not stop anyone from supporting Tinubu’s second term bid,” Wike is advocating for a supra-partisan commitment to a broader national understanding—a rare stance in Nigeria’s highly polarized political landscape.
Political Capital and the Ikwerre Gambit
Wike’s speech also served as a potent reminder of political risk and reward. He vividly recalled the 2023 elections, highlighting the courage of the Ikwerre people who campaigned for Tinubu “when it was difficult” and others lacked courage. “The votes that made Tinubu win in Rivers were majorly from Ikwerre,” he claimed, drawing a sharp contrast between those who took a stand “when things were tough” and those who only emerge “when food is ready.”
This narrative serves multiple purposes: it reinforces his local political base, establishes a moral and historical claim for his faction’s influence within the national government, and positions him as a steadfast strategist rather than a fair-weather ally. It is a classic assertion of political capital, reminding both local constituents and national actors of the risks taken and the debts owed.
The Broader Context and Implications
Wike’s insistence has profound implications. First, it seeks to preemptively frame the 2027 political discourse around zoning, potentially sidelining other critical issues of governance and performance. Second, it creates a litmus test for political actors across the spectrum, forcing them to declare their stance on this unwritten rule. Third, it underscores the persistent tension in Nigerian democracy between meritocracy and federal character, between national competition and regional balancing.
His concluding remark—”In 2031, after the South must have completed its eight years through President Tinubu, we will know what to do next”—is both a promise and a warning. It postpones the potentially contentious debate about the North’s return until after 2031, while simultaneously signaling that the principle of rotation will remain a non-negotiable pillar of his political philosophy.
Ultimately, Wike’s intervention is more than a simple endorsement; it is a strategic maneuver to cement a principle, claim a kingmaker’s role, and shape the nation’s political trajectory for the next decade. It highlights how regional equity remains one of the most potent and volatile forces in Nigeria’s quest for stable governance.
Edited by Muhammad Lawal
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