A number of well-known northern politicians have visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, in a recent development that has sparked controversy. Senator Shehu Sani claims that these visits are a calculated attempt to topple President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and open the door for a potential return in the general elections of 2027. The PUNCH reports that notable figures, including former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, and former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, have visited Buhari.
Speculation over their genuine goals is fueled by the lack of clarity surrounding the purpose and outcome of these meetings. It should be noted that on May 29, 2023, Buhari gave Tinubu the reins of power after winning the election with 8,794,726 votes to Atiku's 6,984,520. The upcoming election cycle may be the target of political manoeuvres, as these visits have sparked suspicions. As an outspoken opponent of political shenanigans, Senator Sani thinks that these politicians are trying to resurrect Buhari's influence in order to serve their own agendas. He has criticised this strategy, saying that it will eventually backfire and advising people in the north to reject such deceptive methods.
"They had power and wasted it; what do they want to do with it again? Said Sani. A Southerner is in power just for one year. It's too early for the desperate and power-hungry northern elite to start plotting." Senator Shehu Sani was quoted saying via an interview with the Punch.