The Northern Elders Forum has voiced profound disappointment over their choice to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
The forum has acknowledged that the North has gained valuable insights from this experience, particularly in light of the escalating security issues under the Tinubu administration.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, the forum’s spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, revealed these sentiments. He pointed out the recent kidnapping of school children in Kuriga, Kaduna as a stark illustration of the government’s inability to safeguard its citizens, despite only being in power for a short period.
Suleiman recognized the recent overtures of former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, towards northern communities. However, he emphasized that the region has learned from their previous error in supporting Tinubu and is unlikely to repeat such mistakes in the future.
“The North’s decision to vote Bola Tinubu into the presidency in 2023 was a misstep, and it’s improbable that they will make the same mistake again,” he stated. The region has taken lessons from their past and is committed to choosing a candidate who can bring the country together and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.
Looking ahead, the North will exercise more caution in their presidential candidate selection. They will prioritize a candidate who is perceived as more inclusive, less divisive, and more in tune with the interests of all regions of the country.
Suleiman noted that the error of backing Tinubu in 2023 has underscored the significance of unity and consensus in choosing a candidate for the nation’s highest office.
It’s worth remembering that Tinubu received a total of 8,794,726 votes nationwide in the last election, with the northern region contributing approximately 5.4 million of those votes.
