A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has told former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman to stop dragging ex-leaders of the country into the 2027 politics of the presidential election.
Lukman had in an open letter called on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to lead efforts to unify opposition parties to challenge the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The former national vice chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), North west, also called on former leaders such as General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari to lead efforts to rally opposition parties.
The group however advised Lukman to stay off the former leaders, saying they are men and leaders of high integrity who should not be rubbed in the mud of politics by desperate and selfish politicians.
In a statement Wednesday by the Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said ahead of the 2027 election, most Nigerians have already thrown their weights behind President Tinubu for a second term, and as such Lukman’s call will amount to fruitless efforts.
“We see Lukman’s call on the former Nigerian leaders as a disturbance to men of high integrity who know the right from the wrong as well as what is good for the country. Nobody can fool or lead astray these ex-leaders for selfish interests.
“We are aware that many regions of this country have benefited significantly from Tinubu’s administration since he assumed office in 2023.
“Nigerians should rather praise President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure, appointments, and security in the country and for his policies which have brought unprecedented development across the nation.
“We agreed with the North-central APC Forum that Tinubu has demonstrated bold leadership and delivered tangible benefits to the region.
“The current level of insecurity in the North-central is significantly lower than what was experienced in the past. Farmers who previously could not go to their farms due to insecurity can now cultivate and harvest their crops.
“We want to commended Tinubu’s economic reforms, the recent strengthening of the naira, increased oil production, and improved foreign reserves as indicators of progress,” the group said.