By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who agreed to the adoption of rotational presidency in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Akume made the revelation on Tuesday while responding to questions during the World Press Conference held in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day Anniversary.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, the SGF explained that the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history and won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, necessitated critical political decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening democracy.
According to Akume, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to deliberate on the nation’s political future, with power rotation and the party’s presidential ticket forming key aspects of their discussions.
“It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this. June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing. It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South.
“Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement,” Akume stated.
The SGF explained that the decision to rotate presidential power between the North and the South emerged as a mechanism to address the political consequences of the annulled election and promote inclusiveness, equity and national cohesion.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Akume described the annulment as a painful setback to Nigeria’s democratic aspirations, noting that the election was adjudged free, fair and credible.
“Abiola won that election round and square. That election was annulled by the military government. It was very painful because the people spoke and they spoke freely. They made their own choice,” he said.
He stressed that one of the enduring lessons of the June 12 experience is the supremacy of the people’s will in a democratic system.
“The first lesson is that the voice of the people must always be supreme; it must be sacrosanct. That’s the beauty of democracy. We prefer the ballot to bullets,” Akume added.
Expressing confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the SGF said the country has learnt valuable lessons from the events of 1993 and would not allow a repeat of such an annulment.
“If an election is conducted very fairly, and one wins, no problem. The actors at INEC are not young people; they were adults when this thing happened. If we were to take a poll at that time, over two-thirds of Nigerians would have condemned that act of annulment.
“Fortunately for us, those at INEC are men and women of honour and integrity. They are patriotic Nigerians determined to make a difference. Never again would such happen in this country.
“You win, you win. When you lose, go back and prepare for another election. Look at the American example. President Trump lost to Joe Biden. He didn’t bring America down. He went back, prepared and came back to win. That’s the beauty of democracy,” he said.
Akume urged political actors to embrace democratic principles, respect electoral outcomes and continue to strengthen the nation’s democratic culture.
He noted that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule underscore the country’s commitment to democratic values, freedom of expression, the rule of law and peaceful political participation.
