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By Myke Agunwa
Elder statesman and key member of Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has stated that with the political situation on ground, no politician in Nigeria has the capacity to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Yakasai said that statements credited to Arewa Consultative Forum on the endorsement or otherwise of northern candidates are personal opinions of individuals, as the zone is yet to discuss and take a position on whom to support in 2027. He, however said Tinubu has not done anything against the interest of the North.
He noted that Nigerian politicians are engrossed with political offices and winning the next election, sacrificing the people for selfish gains. He said that until politicians begin to come together on the basis of ideology, the country can never move forward.
The Kano born nonagenarian who spoke with journalists on Sunday in Abuja affirmed that Tinubu is best positioned to win the 2027 general election. He noted that as long as the ruling party is in control of the majority of the states, coupled with some opposition governors working for him behind the scenes, the possibility of his losing the 2027 re-election bid is very slim.
“We should all wait and see if the picture will change drastically, otherwise for now, the odds are in his (Tinubu’s) favour because I have not seen anything that will prevent him from winning the next election.
“He hasn’t done anything against the north in my understanding and the north alone cannot decide who becomes the president of the country.
”In Nigeria today, Bola Tinubu is the president. He has his ministers and governors who are backing him.
“Who else has all what it takes to move into the contest with the kind of stamina and strength to be more successful comparatively with Tinubu?,” he asked.
He however shied away from assessing the performance of Tinubu in the last two years.
He also said that as a key member of Arewa Consultative Forum, he was not aware of any forum where a position was taken to support a candidate from the zone ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“I haven’t heard anybody making any proposition about the 2027 presidential election from Arewa Consultative Forum.
“What is tagged the Arewa Consultative Forum or Northern Elders Forum’s position is mere individual opinions, because all sections of the north have not taken a stand on this,” he said.
He advised that Nigerians should have patience until northerners meet and officially take a position.
He advised Nigerian politicians to always have the interest of the masses at the center of their actions and plans.
“Our politicians should see politics as a dynamic game, and what I will advise is for them to play the game on the basis of ideology and programmes.
“Let them envision the way they want the country to be and not targeting to be ministers, governors and president.
“After becoming all these and nothing is done in the interest of the country, we will not get better.
“They should eschew politics of ethnicity and religion because not making our country the focal point of our politics has held us down for so long,” he said.
On the secrets of his longevity, he said it was a gift from God as long life runs in the family.
He said that his father died at the age of 107 years and that his mother died at almost 100 years, adding that the combined effects of the two might have equally contributed to his longevity.
“My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are more than 80 and still expanding. I give glory to God for thes