Says power rotation pact is vital to national unity, fairness
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has warned Northern presidential aspirants against seeking to take over power before the completion of the South’s current eight-year tenure, insisting that Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement must be respected in the interest of national unity and political stability.
Akume said the North must allow the South to complete its tenure, describing the power-sharing understanding reached by political leaders ahead of the return to democracy in 1999 as a critical framework for promoting fairness, mutual trust and national cohesion.
The SGF stated this 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, Sir Steve Adehi.
Recalling the origins of the arrangement, Akume said political leaders and governors-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached an understanding in Kaduna in 1999 that the presidency should alternate between the North and South in eight-year cycles, beginning with the South.
He explained that the agreement emerged from extensive consultations and concerns about the concentration of political power in one region, with stakeholders agreeing that an orderly rotation would promote inclusion and prevent any part of the country from feeling permanently excluded from the presidency.
According to him, the arrangement should not be treated as a temporary political convenience but as an important understanding underpinning Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Akume maintained that, following the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the current Southern presidential tenure should be allowed to run its course before power returns to the North.
He argued that respecting the arrangement would strengthen confidence among Nigeria’s diverse political and regional interests and safeguard the unity of the country.
The SGF’s remarks come amid political positioning ahead of the 2027 general election, with the question of regional power rotation remaining a significant issue in discussions about presidential succession.
Beyond the political issues, Akume called for a broader appreciation of the Federal Government’s development agenda, noting that reforms and investments must be assessed against immediate economic pressures and the long-term requirements of national growth.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments in addressing the country’s 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 for patients requiring medical treatment, support for inmates with outstanding financial obligations to facilitate their release from correctional facilities, provision of boreholes, renovation of schools and support for hospitals.
Adehi said the interventions were informed by the recognition that government alone could not address the country’s numerous social and economic challenges.
He called for greater collaboration between government, private organisations and community-based initiatives to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions.
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