Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has called on northern Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027, emphasizing the need for equity and political balance in the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, Sani, who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it would be fair for the South-West to complete an eight-year presidential term.
“In the interest of equity, the South, particularly the South-West, should be allowed to complete the eight-year presidential term,” he said. “It would be just and equitable. Even if the opposition fields a presidential candidate, he should come from the South-West. That is what fairness and justice demand.”
Sani also took a critical look at the North’s political history, accusing past leaders from the region of failing to deliver tangible development despite holding power for over a decade.
“Both late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Muhammadu Buhari, who are from Katsina, ruled for a combined eleven years. Yet the region remains underdeveloped,” he stated.
He praised the Tinubu administration’s development efforts in the North, noting that meaningful progress had been made under the current leadership compared to previous northern-led governments.
“For those of us from the North, we must acknowledge the gains made by this administration. Those who had the opportunity but failed should apologise to the people of the region instead of inciting discontent,” Sani said.
The former lawmaker warned against the use of ethnic and regional sentiments to undermine the Tinubu-led government, accusing some northern politicians of using public grievances as a cover for their personal frustrations over being out of power.
“Northerners must not allow themselves to be manipulated against a government that, in many respects, has outperformed the one that originated from their own region,” he said.
“Let us remember that the South-West stood solidly behind the North during Buhari’s tenure and never posed any significant opposition to his rule.”
Sani’s remarks come amid growing political discussions on zoning and succession ahead of the 2027 general elections.
