Buba Galadima, chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has weighed in on the contentious issue of the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria.
This comes in response to comments made by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who suggested that northern political figures should wait until 2031 to contest for the presidency, implying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be re-elected for a second term.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Galadima firmly rejected discussing Nigerian politics through the lens of regionalism.
He emphasised the importance of evaluating leaders based on their performance and ability to fulfil their promises to the Nigerian people, asserting, “I wouldn’t want to discuss Nigerian issues on the basis of north and south. I’m a nationalist.”
Addressing the political climate and the upcoming 2027 election, Galadima highlighted the voting power among Nigerians, which he believes will influence their voting decisions, stating, “What the people feel now in their body will determine the way they vote in 2027. There is a big vacancy; in fact, there is nobody occupying that seat in 2027, according to the Nigerian constitution, so Akume’s assertion is only laughable.”
Galadima also criticised attempts to stifle political competition and the alleged efforts by the current administration to undermine the democratic process.
He stated, “There is no amount of intimidation by anybody, even amount of killing by anybody that will stop Nigerians from producing an alternative presidential candidate to run.”
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to co-opt other political parties through financial inducements, stating, “We know as of today that this government in APC are sending emissaries to compromise leaders of political parties, offering tens of billions to leaders of the parties.
“They are promising all political parties to align with the agenda of the present government so that in 2027, there will be no candidate.”
Regardless, the NNPP Chieftain expressed optimism about the power of the democratic process.
“I’m extremely happy that, through the ballot box, Africans can change the government,” he stated, calling on all Nigerians to stand up and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. “In this country, all of us must stand up to ensure that happens in our country, and that is not for politicians alone.”
Frances Ibiefo
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