2027: Allow Tinubu To Complete Tenure, Kaduna Commissioner Tells Northerners

Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, has urged Northerners seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 to allow him to complete his constitutional tenure, saying the South-West should be allowed to retain the presidency for the current term.

Mamman-Lagos, who spoke in an interview, urged Northern politicians to be patient with the current political arrangement and wait for their opportunity to produce a presidential candidate.

He said the emergence of Tinubu followed an understanding among political leaders across the country, recalling the support of former President Muhammadu Buhari and other Northern leaders for the South-West during the political process that produced the Tinubu presidency.

According to him, Tinubu had demonstrated political maturity by supporting Buhari’s presidential ambition despite his previous unsuccessful attempts, adding that the former Lagos State governor later played a significant role in building the political structure that produced Buhari as president.

The commissioner urged Northerners to avoid allowing political differences to create unnecessary tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On the opposition, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mamman-Lagos dismissed its activities as insufficient to threaten the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State.

He said the opposition lacked the grassroots structure required to win elections, urging voters to assess candidates based on their records in public office, political structures and contributions to their communities rather than their popularity on social media.

Mamman-Lagos cautioned politicians against mistaking social media trends and large crowds at rallies for actual electoral support, noting that many voters, particularly women in rural communities, were not active on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

He described women as a major force in Nigerian elections because of their ability to mobilise and turn out in large numbers at the grassroots.

The commissioner expressed confidence that Governor Uba Sani would secure a second term in Kaduna State, attributing the administration’s advantage to its performance in infrastructure, healthcare, education, sanitation and other sectors.

He identified Southern Kaduna as a critical bloc in the 2027 election, saying the region had witnessed increased political inclusion and development under the present administration.

Mamman-Lagos also said his ministry had created employment opportunities through sanitation operations and sports initiatives, including the engagement of thousands of people in environmental sanitation and the establishment of a football team to provide opportunities for young people.

He challenged opposition politicians seeking to govern Kaduna State to present their records in public office and explain their contributions to the development of the state and their communities.

He urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the economic hardship in the country, saying the difficulties were inherited and could not be resolved overnight.