Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Garba Datti Muhammad, the national vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the North West, has issued a word of caution to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. Muhammad, a member of the House of Representatives representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, shared his advice in an open letter, widely circulated and published by a national daily.
According to Leadership News, Muhammad advised Atiku to reconsider his presidential ambitions for the 2027 elections. Muhammad expressed that Atiku, who has contested the presidency since 1993, should “perish the thought of another presidential contest” and instead embrace his role as an elder statesman.
He also pointed out that Atiku’s plans to possibly form a coalition with aggrieved politicians to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could lead to more political risks. Muhammad urged Atiku to reflect on his decision and recognize that continuing the race at 80 years old would not benefit him or the country. “Methinks you shouldn’t waste your time and resources,” Muhammad added.
Muhammad also turned his attention to El-Rufai, urging him to reconcile with the APC. He emphasized that El-Rufai, as a founding member of the party, should not abandon it at such a critical time. “While still serving as governor in 2022, you averred that ‘the moment I leave APC, then I have quit politics altogether.’” Muhammad urged him to reconsider his position, urging him not to let emotions and unsubstantiated claims influence his political decisions.
The APC leader reminded El-Rufai of his past contributions to the party, asking him to reconcile or step away from politics entirely. He also warned against following the idea that PDP governors would shift to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), suggesting that such a move could be a political misstep.
Muhammad also provided insights into the positive changes in Kaduna State, attributing much of the progress to the cooperative efforts of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Governor Uba Sani. He highlighted the harmonious leadership between the two, noting that it had attracted several political figures to the APC and contributed to peace and progress in the state.
Muhammad further praised the leadership of the North-West, claiming that the region had never been in a better position. With key appointments and national leadership positions now held by individuals from the region, Muhammad emphasized that the APC had been a crucial force in shaping national politics.
Lastly, he commended the APC-led government for its efforts to improve Nigeria’s economy, noting that prices of foodstuffs were dropping and that the administration’s work was positively impacting citizens, particularly in Kaduna State.
Article updated 1 month ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
