Atiku Was Among Leaders Who Agreed to Power Rotation — FG

The Federal Government stated that Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was one of the key political figures who originally consented to a rotational presidency framework following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election.

This disclosure comes at a time when Atiku, a northern politician, is campaigning to succeed President Bola Tinubu, a southerner.

Tinubu is set to complete his first four-year term in 2027, having succeeded Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner who governed for eight years.

The development has drawn criticism from observers who contend that Atiku should have paused his ambition to honour the established north-south power rotation.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, made the revelation on Tuesday during a national press briefing in Abuja organized for the 27th Democracy Day Anniversary.
Akume explained that the introduction of the zoning principle was a complex but vital choice intended to preserve national stability.

A statement released by the SGF’s Media and Publicity Adviser, Yomi Odunuga, noted that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) originally gathered in Kaduna under the guidance of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma. The meeting was called to chart a political path forward after the 1993 election crisis, making power shifting and presidential nominations central to their discussions.

“It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this. June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing.”

He added, “It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South. Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement.”