According to Punch Newspaper, In a recent development, former Senator Shehu Sani has raised concerns over the political maneuvers of some prominent northern politicians. According to Sani, these visits to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, are strategic moves aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The senator's remarks come in light of recent reports by The PUNCH, highlighting the Sallah homage paid to Buhari by key political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, emphasized that these politicians are attempting to revive Buhari's political influence and mobilize support based on regional sentiments. He criticized this approach as a desperate effort to manipulate the electorate, branding it as a hollow endeavor bound for failure. The former lawmaker took to his verified Facebook handle on Monday to express his views, warning northerners against being swayed by these political figures.
The backdrop to this political tension includes Buhari's handover of power to Tinubu on May 29, 2023. Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, won the presidency with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who garnered 6,984,520 votes. Sani's comments reflect a broader concern about the potential impact of regional politics on national stability and governance, urging the northern electorate to remain vigilant and discerning.
Sani further argued that while opposition to Tinubu’s policies is a legitimate democratic right, using northern sentiments for political gain poses significant risks. He condemned such strategies as dangerous experiments that could lead to division and instability. The former senator's appeal is for a more issue-based political discourse rather than one driven by regional or sentimental manipulation.
He said: “Their obsession with power is condemnable. Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies, promises and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian. People have the right to speak and criticize the Government. But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time.”