Senator George Akume, wey be Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), don reveal say former Vice President Atiku Abubakar na one of the key leaders wey support rotational presidency afta the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Akume make this revelation for Abuja during a World Press Conference wey dem organise as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary. E talk say the controversial annulment of June 12 election, wey many people believe say Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola win, force political leaders to find consensus wey go preserve national unity and stabilise the country’s young democracy.
According to Akume, leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meet for Kaduna under the leadership of late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma. For that meeting, dem discuss the issue of zoning the presidency between North and South. Akume say e be tough argument before dem agree on rotational presidency. At the end, dem concede say dem must do am because June 12 annulment don complicate everything.
“It was finally agreed that we would be alternating between North and South,” Akume tok. “Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement.”
The SGF explain say the decision to rotate presidential power come as political response to the grievances and divisions wey the annulment of June 12 mandate cause. The aim na to promote inclusiveness and strengthen national cohesion.
Reflecting on June 12, Akume describe the annulment as one of the darkest moments for Nigeria’s democratic journey. E say Abiola win that election round and square, but military government annul am. E be very painful because the people speak and dem speak freely, dem make their own choice.
Akume say the main lesson from June 12 be say the voice of the people must always be supreme and sacrosanct. That na the beauty of democracy. E say Nigeria prefer ballot to bullets.
Expressing confidence for the country’s democratic institutions, especially Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akume say Nigeria don learn painful lessons from 1993 and no go tolerate another annulment of credible election. E say if dem conduct election fairly and one win, no problem. Dem go accept am. If you lose, you go back and prepare for another election. E use American example: President Trump lose to Joe Biden, but e no bring America down. E go back, prepare and come back to win. That na the beauty of democracy.
Akume say Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule show the nation’s commitment to freedom, rule of law and peaceful political participation.
