The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among northern political leaders who supported the adoption of rotational presidency in Nigeria after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Akume made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during a World Press Conference organised to commemorate Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary.
According to him, the cancellation of the election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola created a political crisis that required leaders across the country to seek solutions capable of preserving national unity and strengthening democracy.
The SGF recalled that key members of the Peoples Democratic Party met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to discuss the nation’s political future. He said one of the major decisions reached at the meeting was the adoption of a rotational presidency between the North and South.
Akume noted that although the proposal generated heated debates, political leaders eventually agreed that rotating power was necessary to address the grievances created by the annulled election and promote national inclusion.
He stressed that Atiku was present at the meeting and was part of those who endorsed the arrangement.
Speaking on the significance of June 12, Akume described the annulment as one of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey, insisting that the will of the people must always be respected.
He also expressed confidence in the country’s democratic institutions, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying Nigeria had learned valuable lessons from the events of 1993.
The SGF urged politicians to respect election outcomes and uphold democratic values, noting that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democracy reflect the country’s commitment to freedom, rule of law and peaceful political participation.