2027: Arewa Think-Tank berates el-Rufai, Atiku over visit to Buhari

Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has lampooned the politicians who visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state, allegedly seeking his political advice and support about their moves ahead of 2027 general elections.

Speaking in a statement on Thursday, the convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said, “ATT is not against politicians visiting each other or networking but when the visits and intentions were laced with mischief, hatred, propaganda and intentions to cause disaffection, that is when we have problems with those visits and intentions. 

“As far as 2027 election is concerned, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock until President Bola Tinubu finishes his second term in office.”

Arewa Think Tank also frowned at the action of former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai for taking the Kaduna State House of Assembly to Court following a probe that indicted him and his cabinet of N423 billion fraud. 

“El-Rufai who did not obey Court order is the person who is now running to Court for protection. He demolished houses even when such cases were still in court. Take Durbar Hotel for instance, he pulled down the structure when the case was still in court. El-Rufai refused to obey court order and went ahead to allocate Durbar land to people who erected buildings on the land.

“This is irony life; the same courts whose pronouncements Nasir el-Rufai was not respecting, was disobeying then as the Governor of Kaduna state, are the same courts he is running to today to seek justice. 

“Where was el-Rufai when Bola Tinubu and Uba Sani were fighting for democracy for Nigeria to get out of the military rule. What did el-Rufai do to end insurgency and insecurity generally for the eight years he governed Kaduna state,” the statement noted.

ATT further expressed worry that previous administrations of the country could not fight banditry and insurgency for 15 years, while civil war was brought to an end within 30 months, adding that those politicians did not do anything for the progress of the nation, but caused hatred among the populace. 

“These politicians become audible after leaving power. Prof Yusuf and Sheikh Gumi were championing negotiation with bandits during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. What changed? Only the gullible will fall for their antics.”