In the wake of a string of sweeping endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari, has defended the ruling party’s decision to rally behind the president, describing it as a strategic move to shield him from unnecessary political distractions as he focuses on his reforms.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, after the APC National Summit where key figures, including the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, endorsed Tinubu to run unopposed in 2027, Shagari said the gesture is both constitutional and politically sensible. He noted that it is a common tradition within Nigerian politics for an incumbent to be granted the “right of first refusal” when seeking a second term.
“We in the APC have absolute confidence in the ability of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to run this country effectively,” Shagari stated. “So what we can do is to give him the moral support, the political support, and ensure that nobody distracts him by contesting against him.”
Shagari acknowledged the economic challenges that have marked Tinubu’s tenure but argued that the president has taken tough yet necessary decisions akin to a painful treatment administered to restore health. He likened the reforms to medical procedures that may not be pleasant but are essential for long-term recovery.
“The president is doing everything he can to make this country better, and results are now being seen. The country is gradually moving,” he said. “For President Tinubu to be able to implement the programmes he promised Nigerians, he needs a second term.
“When he came into power, you people did say that there are problems, particularly the economy of the country and so on and so forth, which requires some sort of drastic decisions to be taken, tough decisions to be taken, and decisions that may not be palatable to quite a number of people and so on and so forth.
“So the president is doing everything he can to make this country better and results are now being seen that the country is gradually moving. And I believe we’ll get there. So for President Tinubu to be able to implement the programs he promised Nigerians, he needs a second term.”
Shagari also responded to sceptics who question Tinubu’s popularity in the north, asserting that the president enjoys growing support, especially due to his efforts in tackling security issues. “In the north, we have nothing against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He’s doing very well in the area of security. I can tell you specifically now, in Sokoto, security is getting better and better. And there are so many things that he’s doing.”
Melissa Enoch
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