Political strategist and well-known All Progressives Congress (APC) member Alwan Hassan responded to the contentious remarks made by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje in a lengthy interview with ARISE News.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Ganduje recently advised northern politicians to wait until 2031 before vying for the presidency again.
Hassan criticized this position, highlighting deeper political dynamics within the APC and the broader Nigerian political landscape.
Hassan argued that Ganduje’s statement was not a personal opinion but rather aligned with the party’s broader strategy of ensuring political stability and inclusiveness in a country with diverse ethnic and regional groups.
However, he acknowledged that the statement has sparked dissent within the party, with some APC members questioning the wisdom of such a directive.
Hassan explained that the APC’s internal zoning arrangements are not new and have been part of the party’s efforts to strike a balance between the country’s northern and southern regions.
He noted that, historically, political agreements have played a crucial role in maintaining unity in Nigeria.
“The president from northern Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, served for eight years. It’s only fair, based on the political agreement, to allow a southerner, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to serve his eight years. That’s the basis of the understanding,” Hassan stated.
He further argued that those criticizing this approach overlook the historical precedent.
He cited the case of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who completed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s term and sought re-election in 2011.
According to Hassan, Jonathan’s eventual loss in 2015 was partly due to a breach of political expectations regarding zoning.
Hassan also dismissed the political influence of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which has been vocal about dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s presidency in some northern quarters.
He criticized the ACF for focusing on federal leadership issues while ignoring accountability at the state level.
“I advise the ACF to focus its energy on state governors. There is a lot of money going to our state governments, yet nobody holds them accountable. For example, there’s a state that collected over 400 billion naira from Abuja in the last year alone. What has been done with that money?” Hassan queried.
Hassan emphasized that many state governments have received significant financial resources since the removal of fuel subsidies but have failed to deliver meaningful improvements for their citizens.
He argued that regional groups like the ACF should prioritize addressing these governance gaps rather than attempting to influence presidential politics.
The conversation also delved into the preparations for the 2027 elections, with Hassan confidently asserting that President Tinubu would secure re-election.
He dismissed concerns about opposition candidates, stating that those who contested against Tinubu in the 2023 elections, such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, were defeated despite the APC facing significant challenges at the time.
“Do you think common sense will tell you that Tinubu, now presiding as president, will allow the same people who lost to him in 2023 to defeat him in 2027? It’s not about allowing them; it’s about the voters,” Hassan said.
Hassan expressed confidence that Tinubu’s track record, particularly his bold economic policies and efforts to improve national security, would resonate with voters in 2027.
He cited recent improvements in agricultural production in states like Kaduna as evidence of Tinubu’s positive impact.
“In Kaduna, we have farmers producing tens of thousands of bags of rice and earning billions. This is because of the peace brought to the region under Tinubu’s administration. These are the kinds of results that will secure his re-election,” Hassan stated.
While the APC has often maintained that zoning is not explicitly recognized in its constitution, Hassan argued that the party’s formation was built on an understanding of zoning principles to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
“Zoning might not be in the constitution, but it has always been part of the political arrangement within the APC. It’s about ensuring peace and sanity in a country as diverse as Nigeria,” he said.
Hassan defended Ganduje’s call for northern politicians to step aside for Tinubu in 2027, framing it as an advisory position rather than a directive.
He noted that the same approach was taken during Buhari’s re-election bid in 2019.
“Northern politicians are free to contest in the primaries, but I assure you Tinubu will defeat them because of his achievements and the peace he has brought to Nigeria,” he said.
Hassan also touched on the persistent issue of insecurity in Nigeria, acknowledging that challenges remain despite progress in some areas.
He praised the leadership style of certain governors, such as Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, for fostering inclusivity and reducing religious and ethnic tensions.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
