Garba Mohammed
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has advised politicians from the Northern Region to wait until 2031 before contesting for the presidency.
Akume gave the admonition on Tuesday in Kaduna at a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its “remarkable achievements” in just over two years, urging northern politicians not to disrupt the momentum by pursuing presidential ambitions in 2027.
“Do not join a group that will stagnate the various developments achieved by President Tinubu. He has positively touched all parts of the country,” Akume said.
The SGF listed gains in national security, agriculture, food security, infrastructure, foreign policy, and local government autonomy as key areas of progress. He also cited the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had freed up funds for state governments to deliver projects.
Akume rejected the notion that the North was being sidelined, noting several presidential appointments from the region and major infrastructure projects, including the planned Sokoto–Bagary Super Highway and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Taraba road project.
“With the various developments achieved in two years and two months, patriotic politicians should jettison their ambition for the presidency till 2031,” he added.
The event was attended by top northern appointees in the Tinubu administration, and other government officials.