June 12: Atiku backed rotational presidency deal, insists Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has asserted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who endorsed the principle of rotational presidency in Nigeria. Akume made this clarification during a press conference in Abuja, marking Nigeria's 27th Democracy Day anniversary.

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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.

Akume explained that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, created a political crisis that prompted leaders to make difficult decisions to safeguard national unity and democratic progress. He recalled meetings of Peoples Democratic Party leaders, including Abubakar, where the issue of power rotation was a significant point of discussion.

"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," Akume stated, recounting the deliberations. He added that the annulment "complicated the whole thing," leading to the eventual agreement to alternate presidential power between the North and South.

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

Akume's remarks address ongoing political discussions surrounding power rotation, particularly concerning the 2027 general election. Atiku Abubakar, a northern politician, is expected to contest the presidency, while the incumbent President Bola Tinubu, from the South, is seeking a second term. Abubakar has faced criticism from some quarters for his presidential ambitions during election cycles where consensus favors power shifting to the South.

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Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement.

Reflecting on the June 12 annulment, Akume described it as a painful setback for Nigeria's democratic aspirations, acknowledging that the military government's decision disregarded the clear choice of the people. He emphasized that the experience underscored the supremacy of the people's will.

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Abiola won that election round and square. That election was annulled by the military government. It was very painful because the people spoke, and they spoke freely. They made their own choice.