Atiku Abubakar participated in discussions that led to Nigeria's rotational presidency arrangement, the Federal Government claimed on Tuesday.
Secretary to the Government George Akume disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja during Democracy Day celebrations.
According to Akume, Atiku was among political leaders who backed the power-sharing agreement. The decision came after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Akume described the arrangement as difficult but essential for national cohesion. He noted the agreement wasn't reached without considerable debate.
In his words, PDP leaders gathered in Kaduna under Chief Solomon Lar and Alhaji Adamu Ciroma to chart a path forward. The annulment had created serious complications for the party.
Power rotation and the party's presidential selection dominated their discussions, Akume recalled. Leaders ultimately settled on alternating the presidency between North and South.
"It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on," the SGF noted. "We had to concede.
We must do this."
Akume confirmed Atiku's presence at the crucial meeting convened by Chief Lar. He stressed that the ADC candidate was integral to reaching the consensus.
The government's position directly responds to ongoing debates about the rotational presidency arrangement. This claim comes as Nigeria marks 27 years of democracy.
