Paul Ibe, the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s qualification for a second term in office. Ibe’s comments follow a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who warned Northern political leaders against contesting the presidency in 2027.
Akume had emphasized that 2027 should remain the turn of the South to produce Nigeria’s next president. In response, Ibe highlighted the significant regional disparity in terms of presidential tenure, noting that by 2027, the South would have held the presidency for 17 years, compared to just 11 years for the North.
Ibe took to social media to express his concerns, stating: “Where, then, does true equity and fairness reside? By 2027, the South will have enjoyed 17 years of leadership—eight years under Obasanjo, five years under Jonathan, and four years under Tinubu—while the North will have experienced only 11 years, with Yar’Adua serving three and Buhari eight. This results in a six-year disparity between the North and South, undermining the balance of power.”
Ibe further emphasized that the power to elect or reject a government lies with the Nigerian people, who will decide based on the administration’s performance. He concluded by questioning whether the Tinubu administration has demonstrated its worthiness for re-election, stating: “The answer, alas, is as clear as the heavens themselves—God forbid.”
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