A prominent chieftain of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has claimed that there will be a “vacancy” in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa ahead of the 2027 elections, asserting that the Nigerian Constitution supports this position and that it aligns with the will of the people.
Galadima made this assertion in response to comments by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who stated that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and suggested that northern politicians seeking the presidency should wait until 2031, when President Bola Tinubu is expected to complete his second term in office. Akume’s statement was framed around the rotation of the presidency between the North and South, in line with a gentleman’s agreement made by political parties in 1999.
Galadima dismissed Akume’s position during an interview with Vanguard, calling it an attempt to “protect his job.” He rejected the notion of framing Nigerian politics along regional lines, emphasizing that his stance was grounded in equity and justice. According to Galadima, by 2027, the South would have ruled Nigeria for a total of 18 and a half years, while the North would have ruled for only nine and a half years—eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari and one and a half years under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. This, he argued, means that the North could reasonably claim the presidency again, to balance out the power dynamics.
“Well, in the first place, I wouldn’t want to discuss Nigerian issues on the basis of North and South. I am a nationalist and will remain so until I die. But, the issue would be about equity and justice,” Galadima said. “By 2027, the South would have ruled this country for 18 and a half years, while the North has ruled for only nine and a half years, which means, automatically, the North can lay claim to the presidency again.”
Galadima also pointed out the transient nature of political power, referencing the past leaders who have occupied the Aso Rock seat, including General Buhari, General Babangida, Chief Shonekan, General Abacha, General Abubakar, Chief Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and now President Tinubu. He reminded Akume that eventually, President Tinubu, like all his predecessors, will leave office, and thus, the issue of succession will remain.
He further criticized Akume for seemingly contradicting his past beliefs, pointing out that the SGF had previously been a staunch defender of northern interests. Galadima likened Akume’s current position to a shift motivated by self-preservation, saying, “Well, the man is protecting his ‘garri’ (cassava flour).”
While acknowledging that Akume was referring to the historical agreement on presidential rotation, Galadima stressed that the true measure of leadership is not regional power-sharing but the delivery of “the dividends of democracy” to the Nigerian people. “What I want to talk about is who delivered on the dividends of democracy to Nigerians,” Galadima stated. “If President Tinubu delivers very well, and Seyi, his son, would be the best person to succeed him, for me, I have no problem.”
Ultimately, Galadima asserted that the people of Nigeria, not any single individual, should determine their next leader. “There is a big vacancy in Aso Rock. In fact, there is nobody occupying that seat in 2027, according to the Nigerian constitution. Akume’s assertion is only laughable,” he said, emphasizing that it is the will of the people that should dictate the future of Nigeria.
In conclusion, Galadima reiterated that he would not let regional politics dictate the leadership choices for Nigeria, and that the country’s democracy should be driven by who can best serve the people’s needs, irrespective of their geographical origin.
