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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The National Coordinator of the Disciples of Jagaban and one of the longest-serving support-group leaders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has called on Nigerians to place national interest above political, ethnic and religious considerations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Alawuje, in a statement issued as the country prepares for another crucial electoral season, urged Nigerians to put aside “sentiment, personal emotions and partisan interests” and focus on preserving the unity, peace and stability of the country.
He argued that the welfare of Nigeria should take precedence over the interests of any individual, political party, ethnic group or religious bloc.
“I strongly believe that 80 percent of Nigeria’s problems will be solved the day we genuinely agree that the welfare and wellbeing of Nigeria are greater than those of any individual, tribe, religion, political party or political group,” he said.
According to him, national healing must begin with a collective recognition that the country is bigger than its political divisions.
“Nigeria is bigger than any politician. Nigeria is bigger than APC or PDP. Nigeria is bigger than North or South. Nigeria is bigger than Christian or Muslim,” Alawuje stated.
He added: “Nigeria is certainly bigger than the personal ambition of any individual seeking political power. Our country must always come first.”
While stressing that his position should not be interpreted as a call for blind political loyalty, Alawuje said Nigerians should give serious consideration to President Tinubu’s bid for a second term if they believe his administration deserves more time to implement and consolidate its reforms.
“As Nigeria approaches another decisive political season in 2027, I believe Nigerians must look beyond immediate emotions and consider carefully what is truly in the long-term interest of our nation,” he said.
“For this reason, I believe Nigerians should seriously consider giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the opportunity to serve a second term, if we are convinced that his administration deserves the opportunity to continue its reforms, consolidate its achievements and address the challenges that remain before us.”
Alawuje, however, emphasised that support for Tinubu should not amount to abandoning democratic accountability.
“This is not a call for blind loyalty. It is not a call for Nigerians to abandon their right to question government. And it is certainly not a call to surrender our democratic conscience,” he said.
Rather, he described his position as “an appeal for responsible political judgement,” urging Nigerians to weigh the possible benefits of continuity against the uncertainties that could accompany another major political transition.
“We must ask ourselves whether continuity, stability and the consolidation of difficult reforms may, at this stage of our national development, serve Nigeria better than another cycle of political uncertainty and confrontation,” he said.
The Tinubu support-group leader also reflected on the country’s recent political and economic difficulties, citing the controversies surrounding the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and, in particular, the 2023 naira redesign and cashless policy crisis.
Alawuje said millions of Nigerians experienced serious difficulties accessing their money during the period, describing the experience as one that remains painful for many citizens.
He also referred to political allegations and suspicions surrounding powerful figures in the financial system at the time, including the then-Central Bank Governor and opposition figures.
He acknowledged that such matters remain subjects of political debate and interpretation.
However, he said the broader lesson should be that political calculations must never result in unbearable hardship for ordinary citizens.
“When political calculations and the pursuit of power impose unbearable hardship on ordinary citizens, who ultimately pays the price?” he asked.
“The answer is painfully simple. The market woman pays. The trader pays. The farmer pays. The small-business owner pays. The civil servant pays. The student pays. The pensioner pays. The ordinary Nigerian pays.”
According to him, political actors may move on after elections, but citizens are left to deal with the consequences of political decisions.
‘No political victory is worth destroying Nigeria’
Alawuje warned politicians and their supporters against turning electoral competition into a battle that threatens national cohesion.
“What is the value of political victory if the people we seek to govern are the very people who suffer most in the process?” he asked.
He added: “What is the value of defeating an opponent if, in the process, we weaken the institutions that are supposed to protect the Nigerian people?”
While acknowledging that opposition and political competition are fundamental elements of democracy, he urged political actors to avoid actions capable of deepening Nigeria’s divisions.
“No political victory is worth the destruction of Nigeria,” he declared.
He appealed to Nigerians to remember that political parties and politicians may return to their headquarters and homes after elections, while ordinary citizens will continue to live together as neighbours, colleagues, friends and family.
Alawuje urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 elections as citizens with a shared national responsibility rather than as enemies preparing for political conflict.
“Let us disagree without destroying one another. Let us compete without tearing Nigeria apart. Let us criticise government without wishing for the collapse of our country,” he said.
