Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has urged politicians from the Northern Region to shelve any presidential ambitions until 2031, citing the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Akume made this appeal during a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement held in Kaduna on Tuesday.
The event, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizens’ Engagement for National Unity,” was organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
The SGF praised the Foundation for fostering dialogue between the government and citizens aimed at improving governance, democracy, and national development.
Highlighting the progress made under Tinubu’s leadership, Akume noted that the administration had already spent over two years in office and made what he described as “fundamental and remarkable” achievements.
“Tinubu promised impartiality in governance and he has done that without breaking the promise,” he stated.
Akume underscored the importance of supporting a performing administration, adding, “There is a need to encourage someone who is doing well, so that he can do more. There is a lot of misinformation in some aspects of the media.”
He credited Tinubu’s government with enhancing national security, rejuvenating the agricultural sector, and implementing interventions that have led to reduced food prices and improved infrastructure across the country.
Reiterating his position, Akume added, “Tinubu was on course to take Nigeria to the promised land,” and continued with a direct message to northern politicians: “I will urge politicians from the Northern Region to wait till 2031. Do not join a group that will stagnant the various developments achieved by President Tinubu. The president had positively touched all parts of the country and every citizen.”
He pointed out that the removal of fuel subsidies had significantly increased resources at the sub-national level, enabling state governments to execute major projects and deliver democratic dividends. According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda was not just a political slogan, but a commitment to reviving hope across all regions of the country.
Akume also detailed Tinubu’s progress in areas such as diplomacy, foreign policy, transportation, job creation, education, tax reform, local government autonomy, security, anti-corruption, sports, and national stability.
“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.
He further countered claims of regional exclusion in appointments, noting, “Tinubu has appointed so many people from the Northern Region to work with him, and they are doing well. The narrative that the North is not carried along is not true.”
He cited infrastructure developments such as the Super Highway from Sokoto to Bagary, which he said was longer than the Lagos-Calabar project, and revealed that a new road contract from Akwanga through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and other northern states was also in the pipeline.
Akume concluded by urging northern politicians to prioritize national development over personal ambition. He said the Tinubu administration’s performance in two years and two months should convince patriotic politicians to abandon any presidential bids for 2027.
“This is because Tinubu has done so well and will continue in that line to better the lot of the citizens and the country,” he added.
