SGF Akume Rallies Northern Support for Tinubu’s Second Term
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has urged Northerners to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying any Northerner seeking to contest against him is an enemy of the region.
Akume said the North should wait until 2031 before seeking to return to the presidency, warning that personal political ambitions should not undermine the collective interest of the region.
He spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at a pre-campaign meeting with Benue State indigenes resident in the state.
According to Akume, the North stands to benefit more by supporting Tinubu for a second term than by allowing individual interests to create division ahead of the general elections.
“Anybody who is from the North and running for the presidency is an enemy of the North. Don’t allow that pretender to deceive you. It is not yet our turn. The North’s turn is in 2031. Prepare to vote for Tinubu. Do not allow anyone to destroy the country because of a vaunting personal ambition,” he said.
President Tinubu has been fair to all sections of the country in appointments and does not favour one religion over another, the SGF said in a statement by his media adviser, Yomi Odunuga.
He noted that the President has shown love for Benue State through numerous federal projects in healthcare, roads and education, a pattern he said is being replicated across the federation. He added that over 65 per cent of NELFUND beneficiaries are from the North.
Akume recalled that the agreement on power rotation between the North and South was reached in Kaduna to keep the country together, stressing that adherence to the arrangement has helped retain Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
He cautioned Northerners against being misled by politicians whose personal ambitions conflict with the broader interest of the region, and warned against attempts to divide the North along political and religious lines.
The SGF also described Kaduna as a historic city, commending Governor Uba Sani for his leadership and urging residents to support his administration.
He took a swipe at an unnamed political opponent, describing him as inconsistent, particularly on the issue of fuel subsidy removal.
“Forget that other one making noise that he was going to remove fuel subsidy. He is always flip flopping. He says something today and changes gear the next minute,” Akume said.
He emphasised the need for unity, peaceful coexistence and preservation of cultural identity as tools for strengthening national cohesion.
The meeting brought together Benue indigenes living in Kaduna and other stakeholders to discuss political representation and community engagement.
Dignitaries at the event included former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Saminu Turaki; former Minister Dame Pauline Tallen; Senator Abu Ibrahim; Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev; and Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.
