“Wait Till 2031”: Akume Urges Northern Politicians to Hold Off Presidential Ambitions
- Senator George Akume has urged Northern politicians to defer presidential ambitions until 2031, citing the impactful governance of President Bola Tinubu
- At a Kaduna-based forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Akume praised Tinubu’s reforms in security, agriculture, and infrastructure
- The SGF stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda is driving inclusive national development, debunking claims of regional marginalisation
Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has appealed to political figures from Nigeria’s Northern Region to defer their aspirations for the presidency until 2031.
He made the statement during a two-day interactive session on government-citizens’ engagement held in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Source: Facebook
Government-citizens’ Engagement for National Unity”, was organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
It drew notable attendees, including appointees in the Tinubu administration from the Northern Region and representatives of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Akume praised the foundation for creating a platform that encourages dialogue between the government and the public, aimed at strengthening democracy and national development.
Tinubu’s milestones in governance commended
Senator Akume stated that President Bola Tinubu had served for two years and two months, during which his administration had recorded “fundamental and remarkable” progress. He noted key achievements in security, agriculture, infrastructure, and food supply interventions, all contributing to improved governance.
“Tinubu promised impartiality in governance and he has done that without breaking the promise,” Akume said. “There is a need to encourage someone who is doing well, so that he can do more.”
He also addressed what he described as widespread misinformation in some areas of the media, asserting that Tinubu’s leadership had positively impacted every region and citizen in Nigeria.
Vision beyond slogans
The SGF underscored that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was not merely rhetorical, but a tangible movement toward inclusive national recovery. He outlined advancements in diplomacy, transportation, education, tax reform, job creation, sports, and anti-corruption efforts.
“Tinubu has laid a foundation stone for New Nigeria through visionary leadership and commitment to bring dividends of democracy to all citizens and regions of the country without bias,” he said.
Akume cited infrastructural strides, such as the Super Highway project stretching from Sokoto to Bagary, which he claimed surpassed the scale of the Lagos-Calabar route. He further announced that a contract for a major northern transport corridor passing through Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba would soon be awarded.
Northern presidency should wait
Addressing political aspirations in the Northern Region, Akume urged stakeholders to shelve presidential ambitions until 2031 to allow Tinubu’s developmental agenda to continue unimpeded.
“I will urge politicians from the Northern Region to wait till 2031,” he said. “Do not join a group that will stagnate the various developments achieved by President Tinubu.”
He argued that Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy had empowered state governments with increased funding to undertake large-scale projects and deliver better democratic dividends.
Akume concluded with a message of unity, stressing the inclusion of Northerners in key national appointments and denouncing narratives suggesting regional marginalisation.
“The narrative that the North is not carried alone is not true,” he said. “Tinubu has appointed so many people from the Northern Region to work with him, and they are doing well.”
Source: Legit.ng
