Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice-President, has criticised calls from the Bola Tinubu-led government, urging Northerners to wait until 2031 before contesting for the presidency.
Responding to comments by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Atiku pointed out a six-year disparity in the years of leadership between the North and South.
In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku stated, “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.”
Senator Akume had urged northern political leaders to step aside for President Bola Tinubu’s second term, stating on TVC, “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.”
Atiku questioned, “Where, then, does true equity and fairness reside? This results in a disparity of six years between the North and South, casting a shadow over the balance of power.”
He added, “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.”
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