Lets provoke the thoughts
There is a growing undercurrent in Nigeria’s political landscape that remains largely unspoken yet laden with potential to redefine the country’s trajectory, one that involves the possibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu handing over to Peter Obi in 2031 as a calculated act of legacy, reconciliation, and Southern unity. In a nation long plagued by sectionalism, broken alliances, and a North-dominated center, such a transition would not only be unprecedented but potentially revolutionary. The idea, though speculative, demands a sober and strategic analysis given the stakes involved in the Igbo quest for the presidency and the implications for national cohesion.
That Tinubu, often referred to as the Jagaban, has not made overt moves to court Peter Obi is surprising. It represents a missed strategic opportunity, one that could secure Tinubu’s statesmanship credentials, bridge a historical rift between the Southwest and Southeast, and tilt the long-denied balance of power in Nigeria’s polity. For the Igbo, a Tinubu-backed transition could represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ascend to the presidency with structural and national party support, something denied them since the end of the civil war in 1970.
Should Tinubu make a public or even informal commitment to hand over power to the Southeast in 2031, specifically to Peter Obi, who commands both youth appeal and technocratic credibility, it could signal a bold new phase in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. It would restore dignity to the Southeast, affirm their place in the national conversation, and permanently bury the ghosts of political marginalization. Such a plan would be seen as an act of political courage by Tinubu, reshaping his narrative from a power-driven politician to a nation-builder and unifier.
From a Southern strategy perspective, it would mark a historic consolidation of Southern political power. For the first time, the Southwest and Southeast, two regions historically at odds due to the legacies of Awolowo and Zik, could find common purpose. The practical effect would be the sidelining of the North from executive power for an extended period, disrupting the traditional political calculus that sees power rotating from North to South and back. This would send a powerful message to Nigeria’s federation: that leadership can emerge through cooperation, not conflict.
Yet, the risks are real and cannot be dismissed. The North would almost certainly view such an arrangement as a betrayal of the zoning ethos they believe entitles them to the presidency in 2027 or at the very latest 2031. The backlash could be political or even destabilizing, particularly if powerful Northern interests feel alienated or excluded from succession planning. The move would need to be managed with tact, inclusion, and backchannel diplomacy to avoid sparking an existential political crisis.
This line of thought may indeed spark serious opposition from the North, but isn’t it time we go there, for the sake of the nation? Isn’t it time we rock the boat in order to retrieve it? Isn’t it time we provoke actions that will destabilize the country in order to stabilize it? How are we sure the North won’t see through the intent of the plan and support an Igbo presidency? The North has often surprised observers with its strategic pragmatism. It is not inconceivable that Northern statesmen may come to view an Igbo presidency, backed by Tinubu, as the beginning of a new national healing process rather than a threat.
For Peter Obi, the opportunity is both alluring and dangerous. His current status as a symbol of anti-establishment resistance, embodied in the Obidient Movement, could be severely undermined by an alliance with the same political structure he once opposed. His credibility among the youth, middle-class professionals, and progressives would be called into question. Many would interpret such a deal as a betrayal, a surrender to the establishment, or even an abandonment of the movement he inspired in 2023. Obi would need to find a way to merge pragmatism with integrity, ensuring that any alliance with Tinubu is grounded in mutual reform, national unity, and a transparent handover mechanism.
Moreover, Tinubu himself is not without precedent in reneging on political arrangements. Nigerian history is filled with examples of elite betrayal, from Obasanjo’s unfulfilled promises to the South-South to Atiku’s broken restructuring vow. If Tinubu is to be trusted, any agreement must be more than a handshake. It would require a structured power-sharing framework, possibly including constitutional reforms or a public endorsement backed by political stakeholders across the South.
The danger of turning Obi into a passive successor rather than an empowered co-architect of the future must be avoided. If Tinubu is serious, he must begin preparing Obi through shared governance, transitional policy inclusion, and a joint Southern development agenda that reflects both men’s visions.
Internally, the Igbo political elite must also play their part. They cannot afford to undermine such a rare opportunity through internal sabotage, ego wars, or transactional distractions. A strategic consensus must be built within the Southeast, rallying traditional rulers, youth groups, business leaders, and professionals behind a single goal: securing and sustaining an Igbo presidency in 2031.
Of course, APC loyalists and Tinubu’s inner circle may not favor an Obi presidency. Many within the party may fear being sidelined or see Obi as too independent to be trusted with their interests. It would take significant political capital, discipline, and foresight for Tinubu to convince his base that a handover to Obi is both necessary and in the national interest.
Yet, the reward for such a move would be immense. Tinubu would go down in history as the president who finally broke the glass ceiling for the Southeast, the one who healed the old Yoruba-Igbo divide, and the one who proved that Nigeria can transcend its bitter past. He would own two legacies: that of becoming president against all odds, and of peacefully passing power in a way that rewrote Nigeria’s political script.
The Igbo presidency must not be a product of pity, nor merely an item on a political checklist. It must come through vision, strategy, and sacrifice. If Tinubu is bold enough to be the bridge and Obi humble enough to walk across it, Nigeria may witness something it has long waited for, a true national rebirth through deliberate Southern cooperation.
In the end, it comes down to political will, courage, and timing. The question is no longer whether Nigeria is ready for an Igbo president, but whether the men who hold power today are willing to make history instead of repeating it.
By Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
Duruebube Uzii na Abosi
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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