Former Politicians from the North Express Divergent Opinions Regarding Tinubu's Potential 2027 Re-election
In a surprising turn of events, former northern Nigerian lawmakers are divided over President Bola Tinubu's bid for a second term, following the Northern Caucus Forum's endorsement of his re-election.
The Northern Caucus Forum, in a dialogue session convened by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House, endorsed Tinubu's bid. The forum described him as a national leader committed to equitable development, with significant policies benefiting the North. Gbajabiamila urged former northern lawmakers and political leaders to support Tinubu's second-term goal, emphasizing unity and continuity for Nigeria's development.
However, this endorsement has not been met with unanimous approval. Some former northern lawmakers express skepticism about Tinubu’s impact on the North and feel excluded from the decision-making or endorsement process. This has caused friction and debate within the northern political community.
A rejection group, the Concerned Former Members of the House of Representatives, Northern Nigeria, insists that the caucus lacks the mandate to speak for all northern ex-lawmakers. The rejection group criticizes the Tinubu administration's handling of insecurity, poverty, and youth unemployment in northern Nigeria, listing states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, and Benue as hotspots of continued violence and neglect.
Another group of former northern legislators has rejected the endorsement, describing it as "politically motivated and unrepresentative of the region's true sentiment." The rejection group states that the communique is a "classic hatchet job," a desperate effort by a few to sanitize the failings of the present administration for personal favors.
The meeting, held at the Arewa House, had the theme: "Assessing electoral promises: fostering government-citizens engagement for national unity." Despite the division, it remains to be seen how this political discord will unfold in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
The rejection group refuses to endorse a failing system that continues to deepen the wounds of the North and the nation as a whole. They disassociate themselves from Hon. Rufai Chanchangi and his co-travellers who signed the endorsement communique. The group insists that they will not be co-opted into political theatre while their people suffer.
Zakari Mohammed, a member of the rejection group, claims that the Chanchangi group was deceived into endorsing Tinubu for a second term. The group criticizes the endorsement as a staged political show.
Femi Gbajabiamila described President Tinubu as a "national leader committed to equitable development across all regions of Nigeria." However, the rejection group does not speak for all former northern legislators, and the division in the ranks of these ex-lawmakers continues to persist.
- The Northern Caucus Forum, headed by Femi Gbajabiamila, endorsed President Bola Tinubu's bid for a second term, citing his commitment to equitable development and significant policies benefiting the North.
- However, some former northern lawmakers express skepticism about Tinubu’s impact on the North and feel excluded from the decision-making or endorsement process.
- The Concerned Former Members of the House of Representatives, Northern Nigeria, insists that the caucus lacks the mandate to speak for all northern ex-lawmakers and criticizes the Tinubu administration's handling of insecurity, poverty, and youth unemployment in northern Nigeria.
- Another group of former northern legislators has rejected the endorsement, describing it as "politically motivated and unrepresentative of the region's true sentiment."
- Zakari Mohammed, a member of the rejection group, claims that the endorsement was a staged political show and that some former northern lawmakers were deceived into endorsing Tinubu for a second term.
