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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Northern bodies, namely, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and Abuja have reacted to the recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State by some politicians, presumed to be strategising for 2027 election.
The bodies in separate reactions also frowned at former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s lawsuit against the Kaduna State House of Assembly in respect of the probe that indicted him and his cabinet of misappropriating N423 billion during his eight years tenure as governor of the state.
Arewa Think Tank said the politicians that visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown were allegedly seeking political advice from him about their moves ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said: “ATT is not against politicians visiting each other or networking but when the visits and intentions are laced with mischief, hatred, propaganda and intentions to cause disaffection, that is when we have problems with those visits and intentions.”
The group said as far as 2027 election is concerned, “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock until President Bola Tinubu finishes his second term in office.”
On El-Rufai taking the Kaduna State House of Assembly to Court, the group said: “El-Rufai who did not obey Court orders is the person who is now running to the Court for protection. He demolished houses even when such cases were still in Court. Take Durbar Hotel, for instance. He pulled down the structure when the case was still in court. El-Rufai refused to obey Court order and went ahead to allocate Durbar land to people who now erected buildings on the land.
“This is an irony of life; the same Courts whose pronouncements Nasir El-Rufai was not respecting, but he was disobeying then as the Governor of Kaduna State, are the same Courts he is running to today to seek justice.”
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ATT further expressed worry that previous administrations of the country could not fight banditry and insurgency for 15 years, while civil war was brought to an end within 30 months, adding that those politicians did not do anything for the progress of the nation, but causing hatred among the populace.
“These politicians become audible after leaving power. Prof Yusuf and Sheikh Gumi were championing negotiation with bandits during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. What changed? Only the gullible will fall for their antics. The civil war lasted for 30 months, but the previous administrations could not bring banditry and insurgency to an end for over 15 years.
“They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and bandits. The Northern poor masses should reject their political tricks and maneuvering,” Yakubu said.
He spoke further: “Out of desperation these disgruntled politicians can’t wait for the next cycle of elections. We know those whipping up hate sentiments and pitching the people against the government.
“We want to believe strongly that the recent visits by some prominent northern politicians to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, were all plots to contest and unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“We sighted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election as well as the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, among others, paying a Sallah homage recently to former President Buhari in his hometown, Daura.
The Spokesperson, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said: “I am not qualified to comment on the legal intricacies of the case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the State House Assembly for defamation. However, I can offer some analysis based on the information provided.
“El-Rufai’s decision to take legal action against the State House Assembly at the Federal High Court in Kaduna seems to stem from his belief that his fundamental rights were violated. According to reports, he claims that the assembly’s committee report accused him of fraud without giving him the opportunity for a fair hearing.
“This raises important questions about due process and the right to a fair trial, which are fundamental principles in any democracy. As a Nigerian citizen, El-Rufai is entitled to be treated fairly and given the chance to defend himself against any allegations made against him.
“If true, this would certainly be a violation of his rights and could have serious implications for his reputation and career. El-Rufai’s decision to sue the State House Assembly reflects his determination to clear his name and set the record straight regarding the allegations made against him. By taking this course of action, he is exercising his legal rights.
“There may be underlying intentions behind El-Rufai’s decision to sue the State House Assembly. In addition to seeking redress for the alleged defamation, he may be looking to delay or disrupt the proceedings of the assembly in order to protect his interests. This is a common strategy employed by individuals facing legal challenges, as it allows them to gain more time to prepare their defence and gather evidence to support their case.
“Ultimately, the matter at hand is a legal issue that will need to be resolved through the courts. As such, it is important to let the legal process play out and allow the judiciary to determine the merits of the case. Until then, it is best to refrain from making any hasty judgments or assumptions about the situation.”
On his part, the General Secretary, Northern CAN, Elder Sunday Oibe said, “It is the slothfulness of a butterfly that makes millipede to take over its farm. I think El-Rufai is trying to be clever by half. This is the guy that wouldn’t respect court order but is now quick to rush to the same court for protection over a demand for him to render an account of his stewardship to his employer that he worked for in the last eight years.
“I am sure the Kaduna State government and the State House of Assembly know what to do. It is expected of the state government to come out fully with its war chest otherwise, El-Rufai will rubbish them. This is the time for the state government to uproot and demolish anything and everything El-Rufai as he himself has a trademark of demolition when he was in power.
“If he is not remorseful over his disastrous eight years in Kaduna by daring the State House of Assembly and the government of Kaduna State, one would think that the jungle is now matured for the Governor Uba Sani-led administration to prove to the rest of us that he is in charge and he is capable of defending and protecting the State from those who think they are above the State. All eyes are on Kaduna State government on how to respond to El-Rufai’s gimmicks.”
