“No Northern Politician Commands Buhari’s Popularity” – Presidency

Since no political figure in the North has the same extraordinary following as the late president, the presidency has said that political leaders vying for the position of late President Muhammadu Buhari may be wasting their time.

In a press release on Sunday, Senior Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties Tunde Rahman stated that he would have backed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027 if the late President Buhari had been still living.

Rahman claims that Buhari’s passing seems to have created more room for leadership in the North.

“And no Northern political leader today commands that extraordinary following as Buhari,” he remarked. Since his death, there has been a rat race for supremacy in leadership.

In some ways, President Tinubu benefits from this circumstance, even though it may be detrimental to his political standing. This does not, in any way, minimize the immense emptiness and suffering caused by the statesman’s passing.

Mr. Boss Mustapha, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), responded to the statement that President Tinubu did not appoint Buhari as president in 2015 because the late president had more than 12 million votes before the election.

“Many would wonder why Buhari didn’t become president in 2003, 2007, and 2011 if he had always had a guaranteed bloc of 12 million votes and the alliance partners contributed only three million votes,” Rahman said. “That is because President Tinubu and others joined him to form an alliance that resulted in the all-conquering All Progressives Congress.”

“If the late President himself hadn’t frequently acknowledged President Tinubu’s assistance in his ascent to the exalted office, this might have been like wasting energy on a matter that would have been merely academic.”

He pointed out that Buhari had always valued Tinubu’s role in helping him become president.

“Despite the aforementioned, the former SGF’s claim offers a useful perspective for estimating the possible impact of the previous President’s passing on the 2027 election.

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“By many standards, former President Buhari led an amazing life, and his fiery exit was equally noteworthy. He received a historic state burial from President Tinubu. President Tinubu ordered the country’s flag flown at half-staff and proclaimed seven days of national mourning following Buhari’s death in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13. When Buhari’s body arrived in Katsina from the United Kingdom, the President was present to accept it. Significantly, Buhari’s remains were interred at his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, July 15, and the Federal Government proclaimed it a public holiday.

Rahman also mentioned the dignitaries that observed the previous president’s funeral and escorted the late president’s remains on the lengthy drive to Daura under Tinubu’s leadership.

“For that late patriot, civil war hero, distinguished army general, and former President, who stood for the Talakawas, no honor would be too much,” he continued. Buhari was referred to be “Mai Gaskiya” by many Nigerians because of his Spartan lifestyle and commitment to justice and truth.

“In the lead-up to the 2027 election, some analysts liken former President Buhari’s death to a double-edged sword that can cut both ways,” he said, referring to the effect of Buhari’s passing on Tinubu’s reelection.

They argue that President Tinubu may benefit or suffer from his passing in the 2027 election. Those who believe that Buhari’s death could undermine the President’s reelection ambitions argue that Buhari was a sincere and dependable ally of Tinubu until his death and that their alliance, which was based on respect and trust, had remained solid until Buhari’s death. During his life, Buhari never criticised Tinubu or his government. According to reports, the former president praised Tinubu for having the guts to make significant economic decisions that he had found challenging to carry out.

“Given that Buhari had continuously emphasized his gratitude to the APC, which gave him the platform to become president, and Tinubu, who helped him along the way, there was no reason to believe that he wouldn’t have supported Tinubu in 2027 if he were still alive.”