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Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has renewed his call for political leaders to uphold the North-South power rotation principle, insisting that the arrangement remains important for national unity and fairness. His position comes amid growing political discussions over who should contest the 2027 presidential election.
Akume made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, led by its Supreme Knight, Sir Steve Adehi. He recalled that political leaders reached an understanding in Kaduna in 1999 to alternate the presidency between the North and South in eight-year cycles.
The SGF argued that the arrangement was designed to promote mutual trust, ensure regional inclusion and prevent any part of the country from feeling permanently excluded from national leadership. He maintained that the principle should be treated as a long-term political understanding rather than a temporary strategy.
Akume specifically urged northern politicians seeking the presidency to allow the South to complete its current eight-year tenure, following the eight years served by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Under his interpretation of the arrangement, the North would have another opportunity to produce the president after the current southern tenure ends.
Meanwhile, the visiting Knights of St. Mulumba highlighted their charitable activities, including supporting medical treatment, assisting inmates, providing boreholes and renovating schools. Akume commended the organisation’s interventions and called for stronger collaboration among federal, state and local governments, as well as private groups, to address Nigeria’s social and economic challenges.
