By Nkechi Eze
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has cautioned political leaders against allowing personal ambitions to undermine Nigeria’s unity and democratic stability, insisting that the North should wait until 2031 to contest for the presidency after the South completes its eight-year tenure.
Akume gave the warning in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yesoyeso, led by its National President, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman.
According to an official statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, Akume said Nigeria’s democratic stability depended on political leaders respecting established political understandings, exercising restraint and placing national interest above personal and sectional ambitions.
He recalled the political understanding reached in 1999 by PDP governors-elect at a meeting in Kaduna, under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar, with the late Adamu Ciroma as deputy national chairman, on the rotation of presidential power between the North and South.
The SGF explained that the arrangement provided for eight years of presidential leadership from each region to promote political inclusion, fairness, national cohesion and stability.
Akume expressed surprise that some political leaders who were part of the 1999 understanding were seeking to contest the presidency before the South completes its turn, following eight years of northern leadership under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Buhari did eight years from the North. We have to now move to the South and do eight years. Tinubu has done four years; I was surprised that Atiku, who was in that meeting and agreed, is now running for president after Buhari did eight years from the North.
“This is not the time for the North. The North will come into contest in 2031. That is what has stabilised this country,” he said.
He maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having completed four years in office, should be allowed to serve another four years to complete the South’s eight-year tenure under the arrangement.
Akume cited the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari as examples of the rotational understanding, noting that Tinubu succeeded Buhari after the North completed its eight years.
He warned that attempts to disrupt the arrangement for personal political advantage could threaten the stability the country had painstakingly built over the years.
“Let’s not make any mistake. Don’t do anything that will destroy this country, because we will suffer more. Personal ambition should not destroy our country. Wait for your turn,” the SGF cautioned.
Reflecting on his political career and opposition to the Third Term agenda, Akume urged political stakeholders to demonstrate patience, sacrifice and patriotism, stressing that the North would have the opportunity to produce any qualified presidential candidate of its choice in 2031.
The SGF also commended the Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yesoyeso for its grassroots mobilisation in support of President Tinubu’s re-election, describing the initiative as a demonstration of commitment to national interest and inclusive governance.
He assured the delegation that the President remained committed to consolidating ongoing infrastructural development for the benefit of Nigerians.
Earlier, Suleiman reaffirmed the association’s support for the Tinubu administration, particularly commending the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which he described as a significant step towards addressing longstanding challenges facing pastoral communities.
He said the ministry had recorded progress in tackling issues affecting pastoralists but stressed the need for policy continuity and sustained government attention to consolidate the gains.
Suleiman disclosed that the association had submitted recommendations to the ministry on improved livestock management, the prevention of farmer-herder conflicts, protection of farmlands, education among pastoral communities and enhanced animal healthcare.
He further revealed that the association had commenced mobilisation across Kaduna, Yobe and Borno states to garner support for Tinubu’s continued leadership.
According to him, the mobilisation was aimed at ensuring pastoral communities benefit from government policies, become more productive and coexist peacefully with other ethnic groups.
He added that the association was deploying technology and professional expertise in ranching and information technology to strengthen its mobilisation and communication strategies, particularly in reaching members in rural communities.
