A former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has offered reasons why he would not run for the presidency in the 2027 elections.
The former two-term governor of Kwara State offered the reason on a Channels Television programme: “Politics Today,” on Thursday.
Saraki said he is a firm supporter of the zoning arrangement in the country, with the South favoured to continue in power until 2031.
When asked if he would be contesting, he said: “No.
“I’m not running for president in 2027.”
He said his position is guided by political fairness and party consensus following the 2023 general election.
When asked if he still has the ambition to rule the country, Saraki, who once aspired on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “I do.
“I do.
“I would lie if I say I don’t.
“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.
“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.”
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Saraki explained his support for the then candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
He said the party at the time adopted an open contest, adding: “Because in 2023… the final recommendation of the party allowed it to be open for all.”
