Again, Akume Faults Atiku’s Presidential Bid After Buhari’s 8 Years

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 general election, despite an earlier political understanding on rotational power between the North and South.

Akume argued that the North should allow the South to complete its eight-year presidential tenure before seeking to reclaim power in 2031.

He made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yesoyeso, led by its National President, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman.

Recalling the political understanding reached in 1999 by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors-elect at a meeting in Kaduna, Akume, in a statement by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, said the arrangement provided for eight years of presidential leadership in the South, followed by eight years in the North.

He recalled that the agreement was reached under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar, with the late Adamu Ciroma serving as deputy national chairman of the party.

The SGF expressed surprise that Atiku, who participated in the meeting and agreed to the arrangement, was now seeking the presidency after former President Muhammadu Buhari had completed eight years in office.

“And I told them, our son, may his soul rest in peace, Muhammadu Buhari, did eight years from the North. We have to now move to the South and do eight years.”

“Tinubu has done four years, I was surprised that Atiku, who was in that meeting, and agreed, is now running for president after Buhari did eight years from the North. This is not the time for the North, the North will come into contest in 2031. That is what has stabilised this country,” he said.

Akume maintained that President Bola Tinubu, having completed four years in office, should be allowed to serve another four-year term to complete the South’s eight-year tenure.

He explained that the rotational arrangement had largely been observed through successive administrations, although the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua interrupted his tenure.

“Eight years in the South, eight years in the North. I want you to hear this. Eight years in the South, eight years in the North. Obasanjo did eight years, Yar’Adua took over, unfortunately he died, Jonathan took over and did six years.”

“After Jonathan, Buhari from the North did eight years. Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over from Buhari. He has just done four years, therefore he has four years left,” Akume said.

He warned political leaders against allowing personal ambitions to undermine the country’s unity and democratic stability.

“Let’s not make any mistake. Don’t do anything that will destroy this country, because we will suffer more. Personal ambition should not destroy our country. Wait for your turn,” he stressed.

The SGF also recalled his opposition to the Third Term agenda, urging political actors to demonstrate patience and place national interest above personal political calculations.

He said the North would have the opportunity to present any qualified candidate for the presidency in 2031, in keeping with the principle of fairness and political inclusion.

Akume also commended the Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yesoyeso for its grassroots mobilisation in support of President Tinubu’s re-election, assuring that the administration remained committed to consolidating ongoing infrastructure development across the country.

Earlier, the association’s National President, Suleiman, reaffirmed its support for Tinubu’s continued leadership, citing the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as an important step towards addressing challenges facing pastoral communities.

He said the ministry had made progress in addressing issues affecting pastoralists, adding that policy continuity was necessary to sustain the gains.

Suleiman disclosed that the association had submitted recommendations to the ministry on livestock management, farmer-herder conflicts, protection of farmlands, education among pastoral communities and improved animal healthcare.

He further revealed that the association had commenced mobilisation in states including Kaduna, Yobe and Borno to galvanise support for Tinubu’s continued leadership.

According to him, the group is also deploying technology and professionals in ranching and information technology to strengthen its communication and mobilisation efforts, particularly among members in rural communities.