Arewa Group Defends Tinubu Against Christian Elders' Call

Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, responded to the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), which urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to forgo his 2027 re-election ambitions. Yakubu stated that no religious organization has the authority to influence electoral choices in Nigeria, emphasizing that only the electorate can decide who holds the presidency.

He condemned the NCEF's stance as an attempt to politicize religion and intimidate the President. Yakubu argued that if religious leaders wish to support a candidate, they should do so transparently rather than using religious platforms for political campaigning.

He also pointed out the structural challenges faced by the Tinubu administration, which stem from decades of neglect, and highlighted ongoing economic reforms and investments aimed at national recovery. Yakubu called for religious leaders to avoid actions that could escalate political tensions and suggested that constructive advice should be given privately rather than publicly.