2027: ‘God forbid,’ Atiku knocks Akume over Tinubu’s reelection comment

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has responded to recent remarks by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, suggesting that northern politicians should wait until 2031 to contest the presidency.

Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, dismissed the notion, citing what he described as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s poor performance. “God forbid,” Atiku said, emphasizing that Nigerians would decide their next leader in 2027.

Akume, during a televised interview, had argued for Tinubu to complete two terms as a southerner, urging northern aspirants to exercise patience until 2031.

He stated, “President Tinubu should be allowed a second term.

If it is the will of God for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be President, even at the age of 90, he can achieve it. But he and other northerners should look beyond 2027.”