Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has declared that any Northerner seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election is an enemy of the North, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should remain in office until 2031.
Akume made the statement as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) commenced its presidential campaign activities in Kaduna on Saturday. He urged Northern Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the region should respect the existing power rotation arrangement between Northern and Southern Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, Akume spoke during a pre-campaign meeting with a large gathering of Benue State indigenes living in Kaduna.
The SGF recalled that the agreement on power rotation between the North and South was reached in Kaduna to preserve national unity and maintain the country’s territorial integrity.
“Remember that it was in this same Kaduna State that we agreed on power rotation between the North and the South. You cannot doubt the credentials of those that reached this agreement at that time, and it was done to keep this country together,” Akume said.
He maintained that the power-sharing arrangement had helped sustain Nigeria’s political stability and argued that the North should support Tinubu rather than allow individual presidential ambitions to create divisions within the region.
Akume Says North’s Turn to Return to Power Is 2031
Akume insisted that Northern politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 were acting against the region’s collective interests.
“Anybody who is from the North and running for the presidency is an enemy of the North. Don’t allow that pretender to deceive you. It is not yet our turn. The North’s turn is in 2031. Prepare to vote for Tinubu,” he said.
The former Benue State governor urged Northerners to prioritise regional unity over personal political ambitions, warning that divisions could weaken the region’s influence in national politics.
His remarks come amid political discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential election, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerging as a prominent Northern politician seeking to challenge Tinubu. Atiku is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Akume urged Northern political stakeholders to avoid disagreements capable of undermining their collective interests and recalled previous political disputes among Nigerian leaders as a warning against repeating mistakes that could weaken the region.
He argued that supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition would serve the North better than allowing competing political interests to create divisions ahead of the next general election.
Akume Defends Tinubu’s Appointments and Leadership
The SGF also defended Tinubu’s administration against allegations of religious or regional favouritism, insisting that the President had been fair in making appointments.
According to Akume, Nigerians should examine the available figures before accepting claims that the administration favours one religious group over another.
“Let us remember that the President has been fair to all in terms of appointments and others. He doesn’t favour one religion over the other. Just look at the figures. So be careful about what people tell you,” he said.
Akume urged his audience to assess the President’s leadership based on his administration’s record rather than political narratives promoted by opponents.
SGF Highlights Tinubu’s Projects in Benue State
Akume also cited Federal Government projects in Benue State as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to the area.
He said the projects covered several sectors, including healthcare, road infrastructure and education, adding that similar initiatives were being implemented across the country.
“Let nobody deceive you; Asiwaju loves Benue, and he has displayed that in the number of significant projects the Federal Government is carrying out simultaneously in the state. These projects are diverse in healthcare, roads, education and others,” Akume said.
The SGF further highlighted the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), claiming that more than 65 per cent of the fund had been accessed and that most beneficiaries were from Northern Nigeria.
His remarks formed part of his broader argument that the North stood to benefit from supporting the current administration rather than pursuing a change in presidential leadership before 2031.
Akume Takes a Swipe at Atiku
Although he did not name Atiku Abubakar directly in his criticism, Akume appeared to target the former Vice President over his position on fuel subsidy removal.
“Forget that other one making noise that he was going to remove fuel subsidy. He is always flip-flopping. He says something today and changes gear the next minute,” the SGF said.
Atiku has been a prominent figure in Nigeria’s presidential politics, having contested the presidency multiple times. His political position ahead of the 2027 election has attracted attention amid preparations by opposition parties and the ruling APC.
Akume’s remarks underscore the growing political debate over the next presidential election, including questions surrounding power rotation, regional representation and the performance of the Tinubu administration.
Akume Endorses Uba Sani for Another Term in Kaduna
The SGF also praised Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, describing him as a good leader and urging residents to support his return to office.
Akume told the Benue indigenes living in Kaduna that the state had historical significance for Nigeria and encouraged them to support leaders committed to peaceful coexistence and development.
“Kaduna State is a historic city that gave us meaning and purpose. So, this is your home too, as Benue State citizens living here. The present governor, Senator Uba Sani, believes in that vision of Saudauna. He is a great man,” he said.
Akume also drew on his experience as a former governor of Benue State, saying leadership should be judged by the ability to govern fairly and unite people from different backgrounds.
He maintained that Tinubu remained the strongest choice for the 2027 presidential election and called on the gathering to support the President’s re-election bid.
SGF Calls for National Unity and Peaceful Coexistence
Beyond electoral politics, Akume stressed the importance of national unity, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among Nigeria’s ethnic and religious communities.
He encouraged Nigerians to preserve their cultural identities and traditions while promoting mutual understanding among different groups.
The SGF also thanked the gathering for attending the meeting, expressing confidence that the participants shared his vision for political cooperation and continued engagement with Benue indigenes living outside their home state.
Those who accompanied Akume included former Jigawa State Governor Saminu Turaki, former Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Minister of Water Resources Professor Joseph Utsev, and Minister of Steel Development Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.
Akume’s intervention adds to the political debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly over Tinubu’s re-election bid and the argument that Northern political interests would be better served by waiting until 2031 to seek the presidency.
