Atiku was part of decision for rotational presidency — Nigerian govt

The Federal Government stated that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was among the political leaders who consented to the adoption of a rotational presidency in Nigeria after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, announced this on Tuesday during a World Press Conference in Abuja, part of the celebrations for Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day Anniversary.

Akume described the decision as a difficult but necessary step to preserve national unity.

Akume’s Media and Publicity Adviser, Yomi Odunuga, said the SGF recalled that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to discuss the way forward after the annulment, with a power shift and the party’s presidential candidature prominently on the agenda.

“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.