Secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) George Akume has urged northern politicians with presidential ambitions for 2027, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to wait until 2031.
Speaking on the TVC programme Politics Today on Sunday, Akume emphasised the need to allow President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, to complete a potential second term to maintain national stability and unity.
During his remarks, Akume reiterated an appeal he made previously, stating that it is not yet time for the north to contest for the presidency.
“Today, it’s what I said at the convocation of Nile University, where I was given an honorary doctorate. I appealed to my brothers in the north to wait till 2031 to run for presidential election,” he said.
“It is not yet the time for the north to throw in the hat in the ring. It’s not yet the time.”
He advised northern leaders to prioritise the nation’s unity over personal ambitions, warning against actions that could destabilise the country.
He added that if it is God’s will for Atiku to lead Nigeria, it could still happen, even at a later stage in life, but urged patience until 2031.
Akume also defended Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, describing them as necessary steps to revitalise the nation’s economy.
He argued that the bills, alongside policies such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, are visionary measures intended to rebuild Nigeria after years of economic mismanagement.
While the reforms have faced opposition, particularly from northern stakeholders concerned about their economic impact, Akume assured Nigerians that these changes would yield positive results over time.
The tax reform package includes the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
Critics have expressed fears that changes to the value-added tax (VAT) distribution system could disproportionately affect certain states, further fueling the ongoing debate about the reforms’ fairness and viability.
