Atiku reacts to Akume’s comment on 2027 presidential election

By Kunle Sanni

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the comments made by the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume on the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku expressed his opposition to suggestions that the North should wait until 2031 before producing another president.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku made clear his stance, rejecting the notion of continued southern leadership beyond 2027.

Posting on the social media platform X, Ibe said: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emphatically affirmed his conviction that there is no earthly reason why President Bola Tinubu or any other person from the South should be allowed to lead Nigeria in 2027.

Western Post reported Monday that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, called for the presidency to remain in the southern region until 2031.

Speaking on TVC News’ Politics on Sunday, Akume, who hails from the Benue state, north central part of Nigeria emphasized the need for continuity in leadership in the southern part of the country and equitable power distribution to strengthen national unity.

“I advise my northern brothers to wait until 2031 to run for president, allowing power to reside in the South for eight years,” Akume stated.

In his reaction, Ibe said “Where, then, does true equity and fairness reside? By the year 2027, the South will have enjoyed 17 years of leadership—eight years under Obasanjo, five years under Jonathan, and four years under Tinubu—while the North will have experienced only 11 years, with Yar’Adua serving three and Buhari eight.

“This results in a disparity of six years between the North and South, casting a shadow over the balance of power.

“In any case, the power to elect and vote out their government lies firmly with the Nigerian people, entrusted to them upon the government’s ability to prove itself worthy of the people’s ballot.

“But has the Tinubu government demonstrated that it deserves to be re-elected? “The answer, alas, is as clear as the heavens themselves” he stated.