Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume has urged political actors to respect the principle of rotating presidential power between northern and southern Nigeria, describing the arrangement as important to national stability and political inclusion.
Akume spoke in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba.
He recalled that the rotation principle emerged from political consultations around the return to civilian rule in 1999 and was intended to reduce fears of permanent exclusion from the presidency.
The SGF argued that alternating power between the two broad regions helped build trust and should not be treated merely as a temporary electoral convenience.
He expressed concern about moves by northern politicians to contest before the completion of what he described as the South’s current turn after the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akume also called for greater cooperation among federal, state and local governments in addressing Nigeria’s economic and social challenges.
The delegation highlighted its humanitarian work in healthcare, education, water provision and assistance to vulnerable people, and called for stronger public-private collaboration in tackling poverty and social need.
