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June 12: Atiku Was Part Of The Decision For Rotational Presidency — Akume
By Francis Wilfred
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has said 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.Senator Akume made the clarification on Tuesday while responding to a question during the World Press Conference held in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day Anniversary.
The SGF recalled that the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as the freest, fairest and credible election in Nigeria’s history and won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, necessitated far-reaching political decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening the country’s democratic foundation.
According to him, 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 way forward, with power shift and the party’s presidential candidature featuring 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,” Senator Akume stated.The SGF explained that the decision to alternate presidential power between the North and the South emerged from the need to address the political consequences of the June 12 annulment and to promote inclusiveness and national cohesion.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Senator Akume described the annulment as a painful setback to the democratic aspirations of Nigerians, 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 added that one of the most enduring lessons from the June 12 experience is the supremacy of the people’s will in a democratic society.”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,” he said.
Senator Akume expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the country has learnt valuable lessons from the events of 1993 and would never allow a repeat of such an annulment.”If an election is conducted very fairly, and one wins no problem. The actors at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were 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 were men of honour and integrity, they are well read and patriotic Nigerians, and they’re determined to also 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. He sighted American, President Trump lost to Joe Biden. He didn’t bring America down.
He went back prepared and came back and won. That’s the beauty of democracy.”We have decided to embrace democracy. That is why, for 27 broken years, we are enjoying this freedom in a democratic setting. We love the values and the morals of democracy, and there is no system that is as beautiful as democracy.
“It is under a democratic system that you can insult your president and to insult anybody and still go to bed, and you don’t receive a midnight knock on your door. Try it under a totalitarian regime.” Akume stated.
He urged political actors to embrace democratic principles, respect electoral outcomes and continue to strengthen the nation’s democratic culture.The SGF further 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.
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Troops of the 73 Battalion (Motorised), Operation HADIN KAI, have taken into custody a man suspected of being a member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after he reportedly surrendered in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Security sources said the suspect approached troops at about 6:47 p.m. on July 14 in the Cashew Plantation area during routine security operations.
According to the sources, the suspect told troops during preliminary interrogation that he was an ISWAP member from Warabe in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, and had voluntarily surrendered. He also allegedly said he disposed of an AK-47 rifle in a river before making contact with the troops.
The sources further claimed that the suspect admitted to participating in three attacks on Delwa alongside other members of the armed group.Items recovered from him included a bicycle, a cutlass, a bicycle repair solution, a bicycle pump, a spoon and ₦6,500 in cash.
Military sources said the suspect remains in custody and is undergoing further investigation to obtain intelligence that could support ongoing counter-insurgency operations. Operation HADIN KAI has continued efforts to encourage the surrender of insurgents while conducting operations against armed groups in Nigeria’s North-East.
The Bayelsa State Government has unveiled Abdul Maikaba as the new Technical Adviser of Bayelsa United Football Club, charging him to lead the team back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) this season. Maikaba was presented alongside his assistant, Elechi Ngozi, on Thursday at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa by Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe, who represented Governor Douye Diri.
Akpe said Bayelsa United remains a key sporting institution in the state and noted that Maikaba’s appointment followed a merit-based selection process. He expressed confidence that the club could secure promotion within one season.”Our target is within this one season: go back to the Premier League,” the deputy governor said. Chairman of the club’s Interim Management Board, Dr. Peter Singabele, disclosed that Maikaba signed a one-year performance-based contract, describing him as an experienced coach with a proven record in Nigerian football.
In his remarks, Maikaba thanked the state government for the opportunity and pledged to work with the club’s management and supporters to achieve promotion. He highlighted previous achievements, including winning the 2013/14 NPFL title with Kano Pillars, lifting the FA Cup with Akwa United and guiding several clubs to promotion. He also said Bayelsa United would organise a pre-season tournament featuring 12 teams, including the eight quarter-finalists of the 2026 Prosperity Cup, to identify emerging talent.
News
Nasarawa Governor Sule Launches Youth Training, Empowers 50 Beneficiaries With Solar-Powered Digital Kiosks
By Abel Zwanke, Lafia
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has launched a two-day training programme for more than 50 beneficiaries of the Sule Economic Empowerment Development Scheme (SEEDS), with each participant set to receive a solar-powered digital kiosk to support small businesses.
The training, organised by the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, began on Tuesday in Akwanga as part of the state’s efforts to reduce youth unemployment, promote entrepreneurship and encourage self-reliance.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, Governor Sule said the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills and business tools to create sustainable sources of income.”This scheme is designed to provide an enduring legacy in youth economic empowerment and poverty alleviation in Nasarawa State,” the governor said. He added that beneficiaries would undergo practical sessions at the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Training Institute in Lafia before receiving the kiosks.
Managing Director of Pinnacle Hi-Tech Kich Media Limited and Chief Consultant to the SEEDS project, John Uzor, said the kiosks would support services including digital payments, POS transactions, airtime and data sales, utility bill payments, examination registration, phone charging and other business activities.
According to the organisers, the workshop covers business management, customer relations, digital literacy and financial record-keeping. Resource persons were drawn from Pinnacle Hi-Tech Kich Media Limited, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), MTN and Opay. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the initiative, pledging to use the kiosks to establish sustainable businesses and improve their livelihoods.
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