AKUME TO NORTH: ATIKU IS YOUR ENEMY, NOT TINUBU

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the enemy of the North, urging northerners to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 rather than waste their votes on the opposition.

The declaration was made on Saturday during an appearance on Television Continental’s The Lead, ValidViewNetwork reports .

THE DECLARATION

Akume was direct in his assessment of Atiku’s candidacy. “Atiku is the enemy of the North. He has nothing to offer the North. He has been in power before, and he did nothing for the North. Why should the North support him again?” he asked.

He argued that Tinubu had done more for the North than Atiku ever did.

“Look at what Tinubu has done in the North: roads, infrastructure, agriculture, education. He has shown genuine commitment to the development of the region. Atiku is only interested in power for its own sake,” Akume said.

THE CALL TO THE NORTH

Akume urged northerners to support Tinubu because of what he described as the President’s commitment to the region.

“The North must reciprocate the good gestures of President Tinubu. He has shown that he is a friend of the North. We should not waste our votes on the opposition. We should support a leader who has demonstrated that he cares about our people,” he said.

He added that the North had a responsibility to support a President who had prioritised its development.

“The North is not a dumping ground for failed politicians. We are a region of proud, hardworking people. We should support leaders who respect us and deliver on their promises. Tinubu has done that. Atiku has not,” he said.

THE POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES

Akume cited the administration’s poverty alleviation programmes as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to the North.

“The President has invested heavily in agriculture, education, and infrastructure in the North. He has also prioritised the welfare of the poor and vulnerable. These are the things that matter to our people, not empty rhetoric,” he said.

WHY IT MATTERS

Akume’s statement is a significant intervention in the 2027 campaign.

As the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he is one of the most senior officials in the Tinubu administration. His decision to describe Atiku as the North’s enemy is a direct attack on the former Vice President’s political base.

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The North is Nigeria’s largest voting bloc. Whoever wins the North has a strong chance of winning the presidency.

Akume’s statement is an attempt to frame the 2027 election as a choice between a President who has delivered for the North and an opposition candidate who has not.

Whether northerners accept that framing remains to be seen. The campaign has begun. And the battle for the North is now underway. ValidViewNetwork reports.