As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and other northern leaders to uphold the zoning principle. Speaking at the 11th Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Awards in Bauchi, Akume represented by his chief of staff, Christopher Tarkaa stressed that honoring zoning agreements is vital for national unity and equitable representation.
With political figures like Atiku, El-Rufai, and Bala Mohammed reportedly strategizing for the 2027 presidential race, concerns have emerged about potential disruptions to the zoning arrangement. Some argue that the South should retain power until 2031, mirroring President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure before the shift to the South.
“Zoning has played a crucial role in maintaining Nigeria’s stability,” Akume stated, urging politicians to prioritize national cohesion over personal ambition. He reassured Nigerians of the federal government’s commitment to social justice and unity, warning against actions that could destabilize the country.
Bauchi Governor: No Unified Plan for the North
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed concerns over the North’s lack of a coordinated development strategy. Speaking at the same event, he called for regional integration, a peer review mechanism, and a clear roadmap to tackle pressing issues such as poverty, illiteracy, crime, and insecurity.
“The North lacks a unified plan; we are in disarray,” Mohammed lamented. He, however, highlighted ongoing efforts under the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, to change this narrative.
He stressed the importance of strategic planning and accountability in governance, citing Bauchi State’s Medium-Term Development Plan (2021–2025) as an example of a structured approach to leadership. “Good governance requires a plan. Before we won the election in 2019, we had already developed a governance blueprint,” he noted.
Harnessing the North’s Resources for Growth
Former Finance Minister Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, the event’s guest speaker, emphasized that Northern Nigeria is rich in natural and human resources that, if properly harnessed, could drive economic prosperity. He advocated for modern agricultural practices, human capital development, and investments in education and healthcare.
Muazu Babangida Aliyu, chairman of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation’s board of trustees, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, through non-political and development-focused initiatives. With zoning and regional development at the heart of political discourse, Akume’s appeal is expected to reignite debates on how power rotation can sustain Nigeria’s democratic stability while addressing the North’s socio-economic challenges.
