- Focus on Governance, Not Future Elections, Says ACF
- Atiku Challenges Southern Leadership Tenure Disparity
- PDP Declares 2027 a Mission to Rescue Nigeria from APC Misrule
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other political stakeholders have criticized the Presidency following a controversial remark by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Akume suggested that President Bola Tinubu should be allowed to serve two terms, delaying northern presidential ambitions until 2031.
Speaking on a TV program, Akume stated, “President Tinubu as a southerner should be allowed a second term. Those eyeing the Presidency from the North in 2027 should look beyond that year and wait until 2031.”
The ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, expressed concerns over such early discussions about the 2027 election, urging instead a focus on governance. “Our position is that it’s too early to debate the 2027 Presidency. Concentration should be on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people,” he emphasized.
Similarly, Atiku Abubakar highlighted the imbalance in presidential tenures between the North and South, arguing that by 2027, the South would have held power for 17 years compared to the North’s 11. “Where does true equity and fairness reside?” Atiku questioned, emphasizing the voters’ ultimate decision-making power in determining leadership.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also condemned Akume’s remarks. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor accused Akume of attempting to stifle democratic processes, declaring that the 2027 elections would serve as a “rescue mission” for Nigeria.
Osadolor stated, “Nobody has the right to halt another’s ambition. Come 2027, Nigerians will have the opportunity to rebuild and restore the country.”
Drawing parallels to recent political events in Ghana, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba celebrated the Ghanaian opposition’s electoral victory as a beacon of hope for Nigeria. “The power of the people will surely prevail, just as it did in Ghana,” he asserted, emphasizing the PDP’s readiness to challenge the APC’s governance in 2027.
The PDP criticized the APC’s handling of Nigeria’s economy and security, noting a significant decline in living standards. It accused the ruling party of plunging the naira into historic lows, fostering unemployment, and burdening Nigerians with severe economic hardships.
As political debates intensify, calls for prioritizing governance over election campaigns resonate across multiple quarters, with stakeholders urging the government to address the nation’s pressing challenges.
