Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the power to decide who will occupy the office of President of Nigeria in 2027 ultimately rests with the Nigerian people. Atiku’s statement came in response to a comment made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s second term in office for 2027 was already guaranteed.
Akume had argued that for equity and fairness, it was only right for Tinubu, a southerner, to complete a second term, as the north had already had its fair share of leadership. He suggested that northern politicians, including Atiku, should wait until 2031 to seek the presidency, emphasizing that Tinubu should be allowed to have a second term.
Atiku’s Special Adviser (Media), Paul Ibe, responded to Akume’s remarks through a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, asking, “Where, then, does true equity and fairness reside?” Ibe highlighted that by 2027, the South would have enjoyed 17 years of leadership—eight years under Olusegun Obasanjo, five years under Goodluck Jonathan, and four years under Tinubu—while the North would have experienced only 11 years, with Umaru Yar’Adua serving three years and Muhammadu Buhari serving eight years. This, Ibe argued, creates a six-year disparity between the North and South, affecting the balance of power.
He concluded by emphasizing that the power to elect or remove a government lies firmly with the Nigerian people, who will decide whether the current administration deserves another term. “But has the Tinubu government demonstrated that it deserves to be re-elected? The answer, alas, is as clear as the heavens themselves—God forbid!”
Atiku’s response underscores the importance of democratic processes and the role of the electorate in determining the country’s leadership. His remarks also highlight the ongoing debate about regional representation and equity in Nigeria’s political landscape.
