Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has stated that the power to decide who becomes president of the country resides with the people.
This is even as he noted that there is a six-year difference in the length of time in which the North and South have held the presidency.
The former PDP presidential candidate made this remark on Monday while responding to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume,.
Recall that the SGF had while speaking on the 2027 presidential election, urged Northerners interested in the presidency to wait until 2031.
Akume had while appearing on a TVC program, urged northern political leaders to put aside their ambition for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the program, the SGF said there is no vacancy at the Aso Villa, until 2031, when President Bola Tinubu would have finished his second term.
“President Tinubu, as a Southerner, should be allowed to have a second term. Meaning that those eyeing the presidency from the North in 2027 should look beyond that year by waiting till 2031.
“If it is the will of God for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be President of Nigeria, even at the age of 90 years, he can get it. But he and other Northerners eyeing the office now should look beyond 2027,” Akume said.
But reacting, Atiku dismissed the submission by the former Senator.
In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President pointed out that by 2027, the South would have had 17 years of leadership.
He stated, “Where then, does true equity and fairness reside? By the year 2027, the South will have enjoyed 17 years of leadership. Eight years under Obasanjo, five years under Jonathan, and four years under Tinubu. While the North will have experienced only 11 years. With Yar’Adua serving three and Buhari eight.
“This results in a disparity of six years between the North and South. Casting a shadow over the balance of power.
“In any case, the power to elect and vote out their government lies firmly with the Nigerian people. Entrusted to them upon the government’s ability to prove itself worthy of the people’s ballot.
“But has the Tinubu government demonstrated that it deserves to be re-elected? The answer, alas, is as clear as the heavens themselves—God forbid,” Atiku said.
source: Punch
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