Atiku Backed Rotational Presidency After June 12 Annulment — Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among political leaders who supported the adoption of rotational presidency in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Akume made the claim on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja during a world press briefing to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary. He said the annulment of the election, widely believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, forced political leaders into difficult negotiations aimed at preserving national unity and stabilising the country’s fragile democracy.

According to him, leaders of the then Peoples Democratic Party held a series of meetings in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Solomon Lar and Adamu Ciroma, where the issue of zoning and rotational presidency was discussed extensively.

He stated that after prolonged deliberations, political actors agreed that the presidency should alternate between the North and South as a mechanism to promote inclusion, reduce tension, and prevent dominance by any single region.

Akume insisted that Atiku Abubakar, who is currently the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general election, participated in those discussions and supported the agreement at the time.

He said the arrangement was not designed for personal advantage but as a national compromise following the political crisis triggered by the annulment of the 1993 election.

The SGF further explained that one of the key lessons from the June 12 experience was the importance of respecting the will of the people and strengthening democratic institutions to avoid future electoral disruptions.

He also noted that Nigeria had sustained 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, describing it as evidence of progress despite ongoing political and economic challenges.

Akume urged political actors to respect democratic principles, uphold electoral outcomes, and continue strengthening national unity as the country prepares for future elections.

He reaffirmed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, stating that Nigeria had learned from past mistakes and would not allow a repeat of electoral annulments.