A fresh war of words has erupted in Nigeria’s political space following sharp criticism of presidential aide Bayo Onanuga over comments seen as defending a rigid North-South power rotation ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a strongly worded response posted on X (formerly Twitter), Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, accused the presidency of attempting to subvert democratic principles and silence opposition voices.

The controversy was triggered by remarks from Onanuga, who reacted to a live interview granted by Atiku on Arise TV. He insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “must complete eight years” in office in line with the North-South power rotation arrangement.

Onanuga argued that, having succeeded a northern president who served two terms, it is now the South’s turn to retain power until 2031—an assertion that has sparked backlash from opposition figures, who describe it as unconstitutional and fundamentally anti-democratic.

In his response, Shaibu wrote:

“Dear @aonanuga1956, let me state clearly: no presidential aide, no matter how loud or reckless, has the authority to rewrite the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or reduce democracy to a regional entitlement scheme. Power rotation is a political convention, not a constitutional decree—and certainly not a tool to silence credible opposition.

This tired attempt to bully @atiku out of the race reeks of fear, not principle. The same people who shredded zoning within their own party when it suited them now pretend to be its custodians. Hypocrisy has never worn such a cheap costume.

Let’s dismantle this lazy narrative.

First, the 2023 election was not lost because of zoning. It was lost through a toxic cocktail of state-backed interference, institutional compromise, and electoral irregularities that Nigerians have not forgotten.

Second, invoking the unfortunate passing of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as a political excuse in 2026 is not just disingenuous—it is morally bankrupt. A national tragedy should not be weaponised to justify mediocrity or shield failure.

Third, the notion that @officialABAT ‘must complete eight years’ is the most anti-democratic statement anyone can make in a constitutional republic. Presidents are not crowned—they are elected, and they can be voted out. That is the essence of democracy your camp seems to have conveniently forgotten.

Nigeria does not belong to any region, any rotation cartel, or any political clique. It belongs to Nigerians—especially those groaning under the weight of harsh economic policies, rising inflation, and a government that appears to have lost its moral and economic compass.

If this administration had delivered even a fraction of the competence it promised, it would be campaigning on performance—not hiding behind zoning. But there is no performance, only propaganda.

That claim about Peter Obi ‘bolting out’ of the ADC is nothing but panic. It reflects a camp rattled by the idea of a united opposition. You do not dictate coalition dynamics—you only expose your fear when you try.

@PeterObi does not take instructions from jittery aides in Abuja. And if your government had anything tangible to campaign on, it would not be busy imagining cracks in the opposition.

As for the ‘perennial candidate’ jab, it only exposes anxiety. You do not repeatedly attack a man unless he remains your biggest threat.

Here is the reality: @atiku does not need your permission to run. He does not need validation from aides who confuse loyalty with noise. And in 2027, it will not be aides, propaganda, or recycled talking points that decide Nigeria’s future—it will be the Nigerian people. And they are watching—closely.”

The exchange adds to intensifying political rhetoric ahead of 2027, with opposition figures increasingly pushing back against what they describe as attempts to weaponise zoning and undermine coalition efforts involving figures such as Peter Obi.

Observers say the latest clash underscores rising tensions between the camp of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and opposition forces seeking to reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general election.