Former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has issued a stern warning to northern leaders, cautioning them against plans to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections. Sani asserted that such efforts could jeopardize the country's unity and called on northern leaders to support the Tinubu administration's policies, which aim to benefit the northern region.
In an interview with Arise Television, Sani highlighted evidence of political forces in the North rallying around former President Muhammadu Buhari as a means to challenge Tinubu’s government. He warned that these attempts to undermine the current administration could lead to serious national issues, emphasizing that Buhari’s eight-year tenure faced no significant southern opposition aimed at removing him from office.
“There is evidence of rallying of forces—political forces from the North—trying to use former President Buhari as a rallying point to evict the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu,” Sani said. He added that such a move could create a serious problem for the country, as it would undermine efforts to maintain national unity and peace.
Sani stressed the need for northern leaders to address the region’s persistent issues, such as insecurity and poverty. He noted that despite the North having held political power for extended periods, these opportunities were often squandered, leading to underdevelopment and a widening gap between the rich and poor. “Power has not been of use to Northern Nigeria for the period it has lasted,” he said, criticizing past northern leaders for failing to significantly improve the region’s socioeconomic conditions.
The former lawmaker also urged the Tinubu administration to implement restructuring as a means to address underdevelopment. He suggested that restructuring would enable the North to leverage its resources more effectively to solve longstanding problems. Sani called for northern leaders to support the current administration’s policies and security efforts, noting that key security positions are held by northerners.
Sani emphasized that northern leaders should prioritize interventions that address the region’s challenges rather than merely appointing northerners to office. He highlighted the need for focused efforts on improving security, economic development, and reducing poverty to ensure that political power translates into tangible benefits for the northern population.