From Juliana Taiwo-Obaloneye, Abuja
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has warned Northern presidential aspirants against seeking to return power to the North in 2027, insisting that the South must be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure in accordance with the power rotation understanding reached by political leaders in 1999.
Akume maintained that the arrangement, which he said was designed to promote fairness, mutual trust and national cohesion, should not be abandoned for political expediency, warning that respect for the understanding remained important to Nigeria’s unity and stability.
He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM), Nigeria, led by its Supreme Knight, Steve Adehi.
Recalling the circumstances surrounding Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, Akume said political leaders and governors-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached an understanding in Kaduna that the presidency should alternate between the North and South in eight-year cycles, beginning with the South.
He explained that the agreement followed extensive consultations over concerns about the concentration of political power in one region and the need to ensure that no section of the country felt permanently excluded from the presidency.
According to him, the arrangement was conceived as a framework for inclusion and national stability rather than a temporary political convenience.
The SGF argued that having completed eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the North should allow the South to complete its current tenure before seeking the presidency again.
He maintained that honouring the understanding would strengthen confidence among Nigeria’s diverse regional and political interests and demonstrate a commitment to fairness in the distribution of political power.
Akume’s intervention comes amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with regional power rotation emerging as a major issue in discussions over the country’s leadership.
Although the arrangement is a political understanding rather than a constitutional requirement, Akume’s position underscores the Federal Government’s preference for continuity in the North-South power-sharing formula.
Beyond the presidential contest, the SGF urged Nigerians to assess the Federal Government’s development agenda in the context of both immediate economic challenges and the long-term investments required to stimulate national growth.
He stressed the importance of cooperation among the federal, state and local governments in addressing development challenges and improving citizens’ welfare.
Earlier, Adehi said the Knights of St. Mulumba had undertaken several charitable interventions to support vulnerable Nigerians and complement government efforts.
He listed assistance to patients requiring medical treatment, support for inmates unable to meet financial obligations necessary for their release from correctional facilities, provision of boreholes, renovation of schools and assistance to hospitals.
Adehi said the interventions reflected the organisation’s recognition that government alone could not address the country’s social and economic challenges.
He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, private organisations and community-based groups to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions.