2027 Election: Back Tinubu, Defer Presidential Bid Until 2031 – SGF Akume, Urges Northerners

Dr Nafisat Makinɗe, Abuja 

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume has urged Northerners to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the region should wait until 2031 before seeking the presidency.

Akume spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at a meeting with Benue indigenes living in the state. According to a statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, his special adviser on media and publicity, Akume warned that Northern politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 would be acting against the region’s interests.

“Anybody who is from the North and running for the presidency is an enemy of the North. Don’t allow that pretender to deceive you. It is not yet our turn. The North’s turn is in 2031,” Akume said.

He defended Tinubu’s record in federal appointments, saying the president did not favour one religion over another. Akume also cited federal projects in Benue covering health care, roads and education as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the state.

The SGF criticised an unnamed political figure over comments on fuel subsidy removal, accusing the person of frequently changing positions. He also invoked an earlier agreement on power rotation between the North and South, arguing that the arrangement was intended to promote national unity.

“Remember that it was in this same Kaduna State that we agreed on power rotation between the North and the South,” he said.

Akume praised Kaduna State Gov. Uba Sani and urged residents to support his leadership. He also called for peaceful coexistence among ethnic and religious groups, drawing on his experience as former Benue governor to stress the importance of inclusive leadership.