Akume Says Atiku Backed Rotational Presidency Deal After June 12 Annulment
By Robert Stella Ifeoma
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has revealed that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who supported the adoption of a rotational presidency following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Akume disclosed on Tuesday while responding to questions during a World Press Conference in Abuja, organised as part of activities marking Nigeria's 27th Democracy Day anniversary.
According to the SGF, the political crisis triggered by the annulment of the election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country's history and won by Chief MKO Abiola, necessitated major political compromises designed to preserve national unity and strengthen Nigeria's democratic foundation.
He explained that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathered in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to deliberate on the nation's political future, with power rotation and the party's presidential ticket forming a central part of their discussions.
Akume stated that although the debate was intense, the participants eventually agreed that alternating presidential power between the North and the South was the most viable solution to address the fallout from the June 12 crisis.
"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. 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," he said.
The SGF noted that the power-sharing arrangement was conceived to promote inclusivity, political stability, and national cohesion after the annulment created widespread tension across the country.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Akume described the annulment as a painful interruption of the democratic will of Nigerians, stressing that MKO Abiola secured a clear electoral victory before the military government invalidated the poll.
"The people spoke freely and made their choice. The lesson from that experience is that the voice of the people must always remain supreme and sacrosanct. That is the essence of democracy. We prefer the ballot to bullets," he stated.
Akume also expressed confidence in Nigeria's democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the country has learnt valuable lessons from its past and is committed to protecting the integrity of future elections.
He argued that electoral officials understand the historical consequences of the June 12 annulment and are determined to uphold democratic principles, insisting that such an incident should never be repeated.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, the SGF said political leaders should accept electoral outcomes and prepare for future contests rather than undermine democratic institutions.
He maintained that Nigeria's uninterrupted democratic experience over the past 27 years demonstrates the country's commitment to constitutional governance, freedom of expression, the rule of law, and peaceful political participation.
Akume further noted that democracy guarantees citizens the right to criticise public office holders without fear of repression, contrasting it with authoritarian systems where dissent is often suppressed.
He urged political actors across party lines to respect the will of the electorate, strengthen democratic institutions, and continue to promote a political culture built on tolerance, accountability, and peaceful competition.
His remarks were contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga.
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