2027: Akume Warns Northern Aspirants, Insists on Power Rotation

"The zoning arrangement, which emerged from consultations among political leaders in 1999, remained an important framework for promoting equitable distribution of political power and sustaining mutual trust among Nigeria’s diverse regions." Akume 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged political stakeholders to respect Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement between the North and South, warning that disregard for the understanding could undermine national cohesion, fairness and democratic stability.

Akume said the zoning arrangement, which emerged from consultations among political leaders in 1999, remained an important framework for promoting equitable distribution of political power and sustaining mutual trust among Nigeria’s diverse regions.

The SGF 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, Sir Steve Adehi.

He frowned on moves by Northern aspirants to contest the presidency before the completion of the South’s current eight-year tenure, insisting that the established sequence should be respected.

According to him, the arrangement was reached in Kaduna in 1999 after extensive consultations among governors-elect elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other prominent political leaders who recognised the need for a fair distribution of political power to preserve the country’s unity.

Akume recalled that the leaders agreed that presidential power should rotate between the North and South in eight-year cycles, beginning with the South.

He explained that the understanding was informed by concerns over the concentration of political power in one region and growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders who believed that a deliberate arrangement was necessary to guarantee fairness and national inclusion.

The SGF said the arrangement had contributed to the continuity of democratic governance by providing a framework for managing Nigeria’s regional diversity and preventing either region from feeling permanently excluded from the nation’s highest political office.

He stressed that power rotation should not be regarded as a temporary political convenience but as an important understanding anchored on fairness, mutual respect and national stability.

Akume further maintained that, following the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the South’s current tenure should be allowed to run its course in accordance with the principle of alternating power between the two regions.

He urged political actors to demonstrate restraint and respect for the understanding, noting that adherence to the arrangement was necessary to sustain confidence in the political process and strengthen national cohesion.

Beyond the political issue, the SGF acknowledged the charitable interventions of the Knights of St. Mulumba, particularly their support for vulnerable members of society.

He said the Federal Government’s development agenda should be assessed against both the immediate economic challenges confronting Nigerians and the long-term requirements for sustainable national growth.

Akume also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments to address the country’s challenges, improve citizens’ welfare and advance development.

Earlier, Adehi said the Knights of St. Mulumba had undertaken several humanitarian interventions to improve the living conditions of vulnerable Nigerians.

He listed the initiatives to include supporting the medical treatment of patients, assisting inmates with outstanding financial obligations to facilitate their release from correctional facilities, providing boreholes, renovating schools and supporting hospitals.

The Supreme Knight explained that the interventions were driven by the recognition that government alone could not address the numerous social and economic challenges facing the country.

He said private philanthropy, partnerships and community-based initiatives remained essential complements to government efforts to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions.

Adehi reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, particularly initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged members of society and improving access to essential services.