SGF George Akume Urges Atiku Abubakar and Northern Politicians to Postpone 2027 Presidential Ambition
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other northern political leaders to defer their ambitions of contesting for the presidency in 2027, suggesting they should focus on 2031 instead.
Akume made this statement on Sunday during his appearance on a TVC programme, asserting that it is still the South’s turn to produce the next president.
Akume, a former governor of Benue State, emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a southerner, should be allowed to complete his second term, which would run through to 2027. He particularly addressed Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging him to set aside his presidential aspirations for the upcoming election cycle. “If it is the will of God for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to become president, even at the age of 90, he can achieve it. But for now, he and other northern politicians should look beyond 2027,” Akume stated.
The SGF expressed confidence that President Tinubu still enjoys significant goodwill from Nigerians, despite controversies surrounding recent tax reform bills and other economic measures taken during his administration. He defended the tax reforms, describing them as well-thought-out legislation that, once passed by the National Assembly, would be beneficial for Nigeria’s future.
Akume urged Nigerians to allow the tax reform bills to go through the proper legislative channels, reiterating that they were carefully designed with the country’s long-term interests in mind. He stressed that the current administration should be allowed to complete its full mandate before any changes in leadership take place.
By suggesting that northern politicians wait until 2031 for their presidential bids, Akume’s comments reflect the ongoing debate surrounding Nigeria’s political rotation and the principle of zoning, which has been a significant factor in presidential elections in recent years. His statement also underscores the regional dynamics at play as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.
