Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated that the ultimate decision on who will become Nigeria’s president in 2027 lies with the Nigerian people, not political elites.
Atiku’s statement was in response to remarks made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s second term in 2027 was already assured.
Akume had argued that, for reasons of equity, it would be fair for Tinubu, a southerner, to complete a second term, given that the north had already had its time in leadership.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Atiku’s Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, challenged Akume’s assertion, asking, “Where does true equity and fairness lie?”
He pointed out that, by 2027, the South would have held the presidency for 17 years—eight years under Olusegun Obasanjo, five under Goodluck Jonathan, and four under Tinubu.
In contrast, the North would have been in power for just 11 years, with Umaru Yar’Adua serving three years and Muhammadu Buhari serving eight. Ibe highlighted this six-year disparity as an imbalance in the distribution of power.
Ibe concluded by stressing that the decision to re-elect the current administration rests entirely with the Nigerian people.
He questioned whether the Tinubu government had demonstrated its worthiness for another term, suggesting that the answer was clear: “God forbid!”
