Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai have been warned to desist from any alleged plot to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election in 2027.
The warning came from the Coalition of Niger Deltans for Equity and Justice (CNDEJ), a socio-political group in the South-South, which accused the northern coalition linked to both leaders of attempting to truncate the South’s rightful opportunity to complete an eight-year presidential tenure.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Prince Meshach Bebenimibo, and issued in Warri, CNDEJ stated that President Tinubu would not only complete his current term but would also win re-election in 2027.
“Now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu just completed two years of his first term, the North is doing everything to truncate his second term. Why are you so wicked and heartless?” the group said.
Recalling Southern loyalty during the Buhari administration, CNDEJ accused Northern political actors of double standards and ingratitude.
“When former President Muhammad Buhari was president of Nigeria, nobody went against him from the Southern part, until he successfully completed his two terms of eight years in office,” the group noted.
According to the group, Buhari ruled uninterrupted.
The coalition also reminded the public that Tinubu’s political alliance was instrumental in Buhari’s emergence as president in 2015.
“Without the support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Muhammad Buhari would not have won the 2015 election. Tinubu sponsored the Northern candidate to emerge the president which benefitted el-Rufai and other co-northerners.”
Describing President Tinubu as “workaholic, dogged and pragmatic,” the group said the North’s current political manoeuvres were aimed at destabilizing a genuine national reform agenda.
“The North is looking for all means to foment trouble and make sure our workaholic, dogged and pragmatic President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not get re-election.”
CNDEJ further dismissed the credibility of any opposition alliance from the North, alleging that the motivation behind the coalition was not national interest but personal gain.
“Those behind the northern coalition are after their stomach infrastructure… Now they are fighting a genuine leader who God has sent to reposition Nigeria to an enviable height.”
“The coalition of the North is not after the betterment of Nigerians but aims to satisfy their hunger for power, revenge and to make sure other regions of the country are a slave to them.”
The group also condemned attacks on the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Tompolo (Chief Government Ekpomupolo), Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Kingsley Otuaro. It warned against campaigns of calumny allegedly being orchestrated by disgruntled beneficiaries of illegal oil bunkering.
CNDEJ lauded Dr. Otuaro’s efforts in repositioning the amnesty programme for the benefit of ex-agitators and the Niger Delta, urging continued support for Tinubu’s administration.
“We urge all ex-agitators to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and focus on his re-election. Don’t allow anyone to use you to work against the President. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has good plans for you.”
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
