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• Says Tinubu deserves another four years to complete South’s eight-year slot
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has warned that personal political ambitions could destabilise Nigeria, urging political leaders to place national interest above individual aspirations.
Akume specifically cautioned northern political leaders against seeking to displace President Bola Tinubu in 2027, insisting that the North should wait until 2031 to contest for the presidency in line with the power rotation arrangement between the North and South.
He said any attempt to disrupt the arrangement for personal political advantage could undermine the country’s unity, democratic stability and national cohesion.
The SGF spoke on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yesoyeso, led by its National President, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman.
Akume recalled the political understanding reached in 1999 by PDP governors-elect at a meeting in Kaduna, under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar, which provided for eight years of presidential leadership in the South, followed by eight years in the North.
He expressed surprise that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who he said had participated in the meeting and agreed to the arrangement, was 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 eight 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 Tinubu, having completed four years in office, should be allowed another four years to complete the South’s eight-year slot before the North seeks to reclaim the presidency in 2031.
He traced the rotation arrangement through successive administrations, citing the eight years of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the emergence of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was succeeded by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and Buhari’s eight-year administration.
“Eight years in the South, eight years in the North, 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,” he said.
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The SGF warned political stakeholders against taking actions that could jeopardise the country’s stability, stressing that national interest must take precedence over individual political calculations.
“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 said.
He also recalled his opposition to the Third Term agenda, saying political leaders must be prepared to make sacrifices and exercise restraint in the interest of national peace and stability.
Akume said the North would be free to present any qualified candidate in 2031, urging political actors to respect the power-sharing understanding.
He commended the association for its grassroots mobilisation in support of Tinubu’s re-election, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to national interest and inclusive governance. He also assured that the President remained committed to consolidating ongoing infrastructure development across the country.
Earlier, Suleiman reaffirmed the association’s support for Tinubu, commending the President for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which he described as a significant milestone in addressing longstanding challenges facing pastoral communities.
He said the ministry had made progress in addressing issues affecting pastoralists but stressed the need for policy continuity to consolidate the gains.
Suleiman disclosed that the association had submitted recommendations to the ministry on improving livestock management, addressing farmer-herder conflicts, preventing the destruction of farmlands, promoting education in pastoral communities and improving animal healthcare.
He added that the association had commenced mobilisation efforts in Kaduna, Yobe and Borno states to galvanise support for Tinubu’s continued leadership.
According to him, the initiative was aimed at ensuring that pastoral communities benefit from government policies, become more productive and coexist peacefully with other ethnic groups.
He further disclosed that the association was deploying technology and professionals in ranching and information technology to strengthen its mobilisation and communication strategies, particularly in reaching members in rural communities.
