Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has ruled out contesting the 2027 presidential election, saying his decision is based on the need to respect the zoning arrangement that favours the southern region.
Saraki disclosed this on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“No, I’m not running for president in 2027,” he said.
The former Kwara State governor said his decision was guided by political fairness and the need to respect the zoning resolution adopted by his party after the 2023 general election.
He acknowledged that he has long harboured presidential ambition but chose to step aside in support of the zoning arrangement.
“I do, I do, I would not lie if I say I don’t,” he said when asked if he had presidential ambition.
“But after the 2023 election… having Nigeria choose to elect President Bola Tinubu from the South, I think we felt that, look, it’s only fair to allow the South to complete eight years.”
Saraki explained that when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deliberated on zoning last year, he supported the proposal that the presidency should remain in the South for the 2027 election.
“So when the party met last year to discuss zoning, I supported the position that the presidency should be zoned to the South in 2027. To abide by that decision, I have ruled out contesting,” he said.
The former Senate President also reflected on the 2023 presidential election, explaining that the party adopted an open contest at the time, which allowed aspirants from all regions to participate.
“Because in 2023… the final recommendation of the party allowed it to be open for all,” he stated.
Addressing debates around fairness in power rotation, Saraki argued that historical political trends show that the southern region has held presidential power longer than the North.
“If you do the mathematics… There are fewer years that the North has been in power than the South. The numbers support those who chose to run,” he said.
He added that the PDP’s current position reflects political realities following the outcome of the last general election.
