Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has urged Northerners to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that the region should wait until 2031 before seeking the presidency.
Akume made the call on Saturday while addressing indigenes of Benue State living in Kaduna, ahead of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign flag-off.
He based his position on an earlier power-sharing arrangement between the North and South, which he said was established to protect Nigeria’s unity and stability.
According to Akume, the agreement should be respected rather than abandoned for individual political interests.
“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. We agreed on power shift, and that is what has kept this country going. That is what has retained our territorial integrity,” Akume said.
He went further to caution Northerners against backing any presidential candidate from their region in the 2027 election, describing such a move as contrary to the North’s 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. Do not allow anyone to destroy the country because of a vaunting personal ambition,” he said.
His comments appeared to target former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking the presidency under the African Democratic Congress and is among the prominent opposition figures challenging Tinubu’s expected re-election bid.
Akume maintained that the North should remain politically united and avoid allowing personal ambitions to create divisions ahead of the next general election.
He also defended Tinubu against allegations of religious bias, insisting that the president had treated different groups fairly in federal appointments.
“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.
To support his argument, Akume pointed to federal government projects in Benue State, including investments in healthcare, roads and education, as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to the state.
“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. This is being replicated throughout the federation. For example, in the area of education, over 65 per cent of NELFUND has been accessed, and most of them are from the North,” he said.
The SGF also criticised Atiku’s position on fuel subsidy removal, accusing the former vice-president of inconsistency.
“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,” he said.
Akume, a former Benue State governor, also commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and called on residents to support his re-election, praising his performance in office.
He recalled his experience leading Benue State, arguing that effective leadership should be judged by performance rather than ethnic or religious identity.
The SGF concluded by calling for greater national unity, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among Nigeria’s different communities, while encouraging people to preserve their cultural identities.
“I believe you are here because you believe in me and because you want to see your son, and that is me in flesh and blood,” he told the gathering.
Those who accompanied him included former Jigawa State Governor Saminu Turaki, Pauline Tallen, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Minister of Water Resources Joseph Utsev and Minister of Steel Development Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.
