The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have clashed over whether northern politicians should contest the 2027 presidential election, a development seen as a potential boost for Atiku’s ambitions,leadership reports.
Akume, speaking on a TVC politics program, urged northern political leaders to hold off on contesting the presidency until 2031, allowing President Bola Tinubu to complete a second term. Specifically addressing Atiku, the SGF suggested that if it were God’s will, Atiku could become president even at the age of 90, implying he should abandon his 2027 ambitions.
However, Atiku, through his media aide Paul Ibe, dismissed Akume’s stance, emphasizing that Nigerians will determine their next president in 2027. Ibe also highlighted an imbalance in the North-South power dynamic, pointing out that by 2027, the South would have held the presidency for 17 years, compared to the North’s 11 years.
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Atiku’s comments have reignited speculation about his intention to contest the presidency for the seventh time. The Adamawa-born politician, who has been the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last two election cycles (2019 and 2023), has consistently sought the presidency since 1994. Despite this, prominent voices within the PDP, such as Board of Trustees member Chief Bode George, have urged Atiku not to run again in 2027.
Akume defended his position, arguing that Tinubu’s administration has retained public support due to significant economic reforms, including tax policy changes, and deserves a second term. He expressed optimism that Tinubu’s leadership would last eight years and urged northern politicians to defer their ambitions.
On the other hand, Atiku’s media aide questioned whether Tinubu’s administration has earned the public’s confidence for re-election. In a tweet, Ibe criticized the current administration’s performance, stating that the electorate’s decision will ultimately hinge on its track record. He also pointed to the six-year disparity in leadership between the North and South, casting doubt on claims of fairness and equity in Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangements.
The debate underscores ongoing tensions over regional power balance and the political strategies ahead of the 2027 election.
