Former senator Shehu Sani has expressed apprehensions regarding recent visits made by northern politicians to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, insinuating that these interactions are part of a deliberate strategy to undermine President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 general election.
In the past few weeks, prominent northern figures have been observed visiting Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. Notable visitors included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto, on June 22, followed by Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, the following day.
Sani’s statement, issued on Monday, suggested that despite being labelled as “Sallah homage,” these visits were actually driven by political motives. He claimed that the recent visits by influential northern politicians to Daura were an attempt to form a strong northern coalition using ex-President Buhari as a unifying figure to challenge and remove President Tinubu from office in 2027.
Sani criticised this potential alliance as a means to revive Buhari’s political influence and mobilise northern sentiments, cautioning against the possible repercussions. He argued that Buhari’s previous eight-year tenure did not yield significant national benefits, questioning the rationale behind seeking power once more.
Additionally, Sani emphasised the premature nature of these political manoeuvres, especially considering that Tinubu, a southerner, has only been in power for a year. He warned against stoking regional tensions, highlighting the risks posed to national unity and the democratic process. Sani condemned the obsession with power displayed by these politicians, noting the potential damage to the country’s fragile unity if such actions continue.
Sani expressed his support for the democratic right to challenge and critique the government’s policies and performance, but strongly criticised the exploitation of regional sentiments for political advantage. He called on the people in the northern region to reject the manipulative tactics employed by these politicians, whom he accused of neglecting crucial projects such as Baro Port, Ajaokuta, the Lake Chad basin refilling, and the Mambilla hydropower project.
Sani emphasised the significance of engaging in constructive criticism instead of divisive political strategies, cautioning that such actions could potentially create a dangerous political environment.
