Atiku Was Part Of Rotational Presidency Agreement – Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who supported a rotational presidency following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Naija News reports that Akume stated this on Tuesday while responding to questions at a World Press Conference in Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary.

According to the SGF, the annulment of the June 12 election, won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, prompted political leaders to take difficult decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening democracy.

He recalled that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Solomon Lar and Adamu Ciroma to deliberate on the country’s political future, with the issue of power rotation featuring prominently.

“It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this.

“June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing. It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South.

“Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement,” Akume was quoted as saying.

The SGF explained that the decision to alternate presidential power between the North and South was designed to address the political consequences of the annulled election and promote inclusiveness and national cohesion.

Akume’s remarks come amid ongoing political debates over power rotation ahead of the 2027 general election.