By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a recent interview on Arise TV, former Senator and activist Shehu Sani revealed that there is a significant mobilization of political forces in Northern Nigeria, with the intention of using former President Muhammadu Buhari as a focal point to challenge and potentially unseat President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Senator Sani highlighted a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics where during festive occasions like Sallah, prominent individuals visit past leaders. However, he clarified that the current political movements go beyond mere tradition. "There is evidence of rallying and regrouping of political forces from the North trying to use former President Buhari as a rally point to evict President Tinubu’s government," he stated.
The Northern political forces, according to Sani, are aiming to revive their influence among the masses by portraying the Tinubu administration as one that has failed to uphold its campaign promises and neglected Northern interests, despite receiving substantial electoral support from the region. He cautioned that such actions could severely destabilize the nation.
Senator Sani elaborated on the complexities of the current political climate, explaining that the Northern political elite are capitalizing on Buhari's enduring popularity to consolidate their power base. "The Northern political forces hope to resurrect the political charms in the heart of the masses and portray the government as the one that has been undermining the North and the one that has not been living up to its campaign promises," he said. He stressed that this strategy is driven by a sense of urgency, as these forces believe that rallying behind a familiar and influential figure like Buhari could galvanize widespread support and create a formidable opposition to Tinubu’s government. "Reason being that he has the highest votes from there, and I must warn that an attempt to do that can create a serious problem for our country," Sani warned.
Reflecting on Buhari's tenure, Sani pointed out that no serious Southern effort was made to displace him during his eight years in power, emphasizing the importance of national unity and the potential dangers of regional political ambitions. "Buhari has been in power for eight years and there has never been any serious Southerner who challenged his government in terms of trying to remove him out of office," Sani noted. He cautioned that the current political maneuvering could set a dangerous precedent. "What will happen if Southern politicians decide to also form the idea of uniting them and making a position that this is their stand? There will be no Nigeria," he said, highlighting the fragility of the nation’s unity.
Sani urged Northern political leaders to prioritize the country's unity and peace over personal ambitions. He suggested that the North should bide its time until 2027, after which it could justifiably seek power again, especially if a Southerner remains in power post-Tinubu. "So, they (Northerners) in the interest of the unity of the country and the future of the country, sacrifice their own personal ambitions, at least for 2027 and North will have the moral right to ask for power after the second term of this administration if a Southerner takes over power, even if it is not Tinubu," he advised. Sani criticized the previous Northern administration for failing to address regional issues, leaving the North worse off than it was in 2015. "They should know that they had the opportunity to address all the problems of the bridging when they failed. North wasted eight years in power and did nothing for the region and did nothing for the people and left the region worse than it met it in 2015," he remarked.
Senator Sani concluded with a call to action, urging Northern leaders to adopt policies that truly benefit their people. "This desperation for power will not augur well with the region and for the unity and collective peace of our country as a nation. This is not the time we should key into policies and programmes that will benefit our people," he said. By emphasizing the need for a unified and strategic approach to governance, Sani's comments underscore the delicate balance of power in Nigeria and the potential consequences of political instability. His plea for patience and a focus on the greater good reflects a deep concern for the future of the nation and the wellbeing of all its citizens.
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