Act Like A Leader” — Osita Okechukwu Fires Back At Atiku

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has urged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Atiku Abubakar, to support the continuation of the power rotation arrangement by allowing the South to complete its turn in the presidency.

According to Ireporter Online, Okechukwu made the appeal in a statement issued in response to calls by the Southern Political Progressive Amalgamation Forum urging Atiku to carefully consider his choice of a vice-presidential running mate ahead of the 2027 general election in order to strengthen his support in the South.

Reacting to the recommendation, the former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) argued that pressure from political groups contributed to Atiku’s departure from the zoning principle, a development he said triggered internal instability within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Okechukwu maintained that the former Vice President should return to supporting the zoning arrangement, describing it as an important democratic principle capable of promoting fairness, national unity, and political stability.

He recalled that Atiku had previously defended the principle of power rotation during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, stressing that the former Vice President should remain committed to the same position after having benefited from the arrangement in the past.

The APC chieftain further advised Atiku to focus on strengthening the opposition rather than directing criticism at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He expressed the view that embracing constructive politics and respecting the established zoning convention would contribute to a healthier democratic process and foster greater political harmony across the country.