The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, as an “enemy of the North” over his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Akume argued that Atiku’s presidential ambition runs contrary to the political interests of northern Nigeria, insisting that the region should support President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
The SGF’s position was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, following a pre-campaign meeting with Benue State indigenes living in Kaduna.
“2027: Atiku is North’s enemy,” Akume declared, according to the statement.
The former Benue State governor argued that supporting Atiku in the next presidential election could disrupt the existing arrangement surrounding the rotation of presidential power between the North and South.
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He maintained that Tinubu should be allowed to complete eight years in office, after which the presidency would return to the North.
Akume consequently urged northern political leaders to unite behind the incumbent president rather than support Atiku’s bid for the presidency.
He argued that such a move would preserve the region’s opportunity to reclaim the presidency after Tinubu’s second term, if the president secures re-election.
The SGF’s comments have generated reactions, with some observers interpreting his position as an attempt to challenge Atiku’s appeal among northern voters ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku, a former vice president and longstanding presidential contender, is seeking the presidency under the ADC after previously contesting elections under other political platforms.
