Former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has issued a stern warning to northern leaders contemplating plans to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential elections, stating such actions could jeopardize Nigeria’s unity.

In an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, Sani urged northern leaders to align with the policies and programs of the Tinubu administration that benefit the northern region instead of seeking to gain more political power.

“They are regrouping”

Senator Sani highlighted the evidence of political forces in the North regrouping, potentially using former President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge Tinubu’s government. He warned that this could create significant problems for the country.

“Buhari was in power for eight years, and there was no serious southern opposition aiming to remove him from office,” Sani noted. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the nation’s unity and peace over personal political ambitions.

Focus on Northern Challenges

Sani also stressed the need for Northern leaders to address the pressing issues within their region, such as insecurity and poverty. He pointed out that the North has had extended periods of political power, which should have been used to address these problems but was instead misused.

“The North leads in the poverty index, lags behind in industry, and in many aspects of development due to a history of bad governance and corruption,” Sani said. He urged Northern leaders to use their political influence to bring development to the region rather than enrich a select few.

Call for Restructuring

Additionally, Sani called on the Tinubu administration to implement restructuring, which he believes would provide a systemic opportunity for addressing underdevelopment. He suggested that the North should leverage its resources to tackle its long-standing issues.

Sani highlighted the importance of supporting the security apparatus, many of which are headed by Northerners, to address the region’s security challenges effectively. He urged that the focus should be on substantive development and problem-solving rather than merely appointing Northerners to office.

Sani’s message was clear: Northern leaders should prioritize national unity and the well-being of their region by supporting the current administration’s efforts rather than engaging in divisive political maneuvers.