Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has affirmed that the North and South reached an agreement in 1999 to rotate the presidency every 8 years. He made this statement during the North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) grand rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, in support of President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid. Akume, a former governor of Benue State, emphasized that it was only fair that the North, having held power for 8 years under President Muhammadu Buhari, should allow Tinubu, from the South, to complete his 8-year term.
The rally, which drew hundreds of thousands of party faithful from the six states in the North-Central zone, was part of a nationwide show of support for President Tinubu's re-election. Party supporters in Imo State also staged a 'One million-man march' in Owerri, while public and private school teachers in Enugu State held a separate rally in Enugu, endorsing Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah for re-election. Akume's statement was seen as a reaffirmation of the agreement that has guided the rotation of power between the North and South since the return of democracy in 1999.
Akume criticized presidential candidates who promise to restore fuel subsidy, which was previously vowed to be removed. He described this as "policy flip-flop" and warned the people not to be deceived by such promises. He also highlighted some of the achievements of the Tinubu administration, including the establishment of more universities and the introduction of the NELFUND student loan scheme. Akume moved a motion that the people of the North-Central zone should adopt President Tinubu as their candidate for the 2027 election.
The motion was seconded by Nasarawa Governor, Abdullah Sule, on behalf of the governors of Kogi, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, and the people of the Federal Capital Territory. Governor Sule praised President Tinubu's achievements, including improving oil production, increasing foreign reserves, and introducing infrastructure development. He described Tinubu as a visionary leader who deserves to be re-elected.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who also addressed the rally, assured Nigerians that President Tinubu would consolidate his administration's economic reforms and deliver greater prosperity, stronger economic growth, and improved security if re-elected. She stated that the country was already witnessing the positive effects of the President's difficult economic decisions, including exchange rate stability, renewed investor confidence, and infrastructure development.
The First Lady highlighted the administration's interventions in food security, nutrition, education, and social protection, aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly women and children. She mentioned the recent food bank programme targeting pregnant women, nursing mothers, and malnourished children, as part of efforts to address nutritional deficiencies and improve maternal and child health.
The APC national Chairman, Prof Nantawe Yilwa, was also present at the rally. The event marked a significant show of support for President Tinubu's re-election bid, with thousands of party faithful and supporters turning out to endorse his candidacy.
Key points
- The North and South agreed to an 8-year rotation of the presidency in 1999.
- President Tinubu's administration has introduced several reforms, including the establishment of more universities and the introduction of the NELFUND student loan scheme.
- The administration's economic reforms have led to exchange rate stability, renewed investor confidence, and infrastructure development.
