The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has described northern presidential aspirants for 2027 as enemies of the region, insisting that the North must support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election to preserve zoning and ensure continued development.
In a statement issued by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume said the region should wait until 2031 before seeking to reclaim the presidency.
Speaking on Saturday in Kaduna at a pre-campaign meeting with a large crowd of Benue indigenes resident in the state, Akume urged northerners to remain united and resist political manoeuvres that could weaken the region’s influence.
He said backing Tinubu for a second term would serve the North’s collective interests.
“Anybody who is from the North and running for the presidency is an enemy of the North,” Akume said.
“It is not yet our turn. The North’s turn is in 2031. Prepare to vote for Tinubu,” he added.
The remarks framed the coming election as a test of regional solidarity and commitment to rotation between northern and southern political leaders.
Akume warned that individual presidential ambitions could weaken the North’s influence and undermine national unity.
He invoked what he described as an agreement reached in Kaduna to rotate the presidency between the North and the South, presenting that understanding as a foundation for political stability and an argument against a northern challenge to Tinubu in 2027.
He also cited past political rifts among Nigerian leaders and cautioned against repeating mistakes that could weaken the North’s influence in national politics.
“We agreed on a power shift and that is what has kept this country going,” he said.
However, the statement did not identify the participants in that agreement or specify when it was reached.
Akume said the North should not be distracted by politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027.
He urged leaders to consider the wider implications of their actions for national unity and the region’s future.
The former Benue State governor called on northern political leaders to put the region’s longer-term interests ahead of personal ambitions and warned against divisions along political, religious and personal lines.
The SGF emphasised that unity, cooperation and political understanding remained critical to the region’s continued relevance, noting that the North’s strength depended largely on its ability to pursue common objectives.
His criticism extended to an unnamed politician whom he accused of changing positions on fuel-subsidy removal.
Akume defended Tinubu’s appointments, saying the president had treated religious groups fairly.
He urged his audience to examine the figures, although the statement did not provide a breakdown of appointments.
“Let us remember that the President has been fair to all in terms of appointments and others,” he said.
“He doesn’t favour one religion over the other,” he added.
The SGF also pointed to federal projects in Benue spanning healthcare, roads, education and other sectors, describing them as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to the state.
He said Tinubu’s support for Benue was reflected in the significant projects the Federal Government was carrying out in the state, adding that similar investments were being made across the federation.
On education, he said more than 65 per cent of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had been accessed and that most beneficiaries were from the North.
He further encouraged the preservation of cultural identity and traditions, describing shared heritage as an important means of strengthening relationships and promoting understanding among communities.
“I believe you are here because you believe in me and because you want to see your son and that is me in flesh and blood,” Akume told the gathering.
Alongside his endorsement of Tinubu, Akume urged those present to support Kaduna Governor Uba Sani for another term.
He praised Sani’s leadership and encouraged Benue indigenes living in Kaduna to regard the state as their home while preserving their cultural identity.
He linked peaceful coexistence and cooperation across ethnic and religious communities to national progress.
The gathering brought together Benue indigenes resident in Kaduna and other political stakeholders to discuss community interests, representation and engagement with national leaders.
According to the statement, those accompanying Akume included former Jigawa Governor Saminu Turaki, Pauline Tallen, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Water Resources Minister Joseph Utsev and Steel Development Minister Shuaibu Abubakar Audu.
