“We In The North Are Known For Keeping Promises” — Badaru Says North Must Give Tinubu Eight Years Before Power Returns

Former Minister of Defence and Director-General of the Arewa for Asuwaju group, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has said the North must come together to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that he can complete his eight years before power returns to the North.

Badaru spoke during an interview with DCL Hausa, where he explained why the group, which comprises many former governors, former ministers and senior politicians, was formed to promote Tinubu’s second-term bid.

He said the group sat down, analysed the state of the country and its political climate, and saw it fitting for northerners to fulfil their promise.

“We spent eight years in power, and if you recall, in 2019, no major political party ran a candidate from the South. Now that the time has come for southerners to rule, it is not right for us northerners to cut them short after just four years,” Badaru said.

He said even though democracy is a matter of numbers, national coexistence and justice allow for rotation, especially since all agreed to power rotation.

“Those who introduced power rotation likely considered national peace and how to foster unity and respect among citizens. Perhaps this is why the arrangement of eight years for the South and eight years for the North was proposed,” he said.

“We saw it fitting for us northerners — known for keeping promises and restoring peace — to rally and ensure the North comes out to re-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu so he completes his two terms, eight years, before power returns to the North.”

On the argument that asking Tinubu to complete eight years sets the constitution aside, since every leader is entitled to four years like former President Goodluck Jonathan who served one term, Badaru said discussions have been held about it.

“The constitution allows elections based on numbers, but one must also consider the country’s peace, trust, and national harmony. Sometimes, you have to concede certain rights to ensure peace, dignity, and steady national progress,” he said.

Asked how a group of heavyweights, former governors and ministers, including some serving in the current administration, can represent the true interests of ordinary citizens, Badaru said they are national politicians who know the heartbeat of the country and the plight of the common people.

“A true politician knows their constituency inside out. We know these aspirations, we know the challenges, and we are compiling them comprehensively,” he said.

He added that by the grace of God, northern elders will soon sit down with the President to discuss these matters and formulate ways to further boost the northern economy, enhance security, and establish industries where youths can find employment.

On what the group is doing to ensure Tinubu wins a second term, Badaru said Arewa for Asuwaju has representatives from the polling units upward, with various wings reaching every nook and cranny to showcase the good works done in the North.

“We have travelled to every state, documented the President’s projects on video, and interviewed the beneficiaries. When showcased, you’ll be amazed. We’ve started displaying these achievements across states so people can see them. Even I wasn’t aware of some of these projects until this compilation work began, especially key infrastructural developments,” he said.

On funding, Badaru said family, friends and members pull resources together through strong financial contributions, while many former governors with political structures across all states help propagate the agenda.

He said the group works hand in hand with the PCC Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, collaborating closely, and if a task is beyond them, they direct them, and vice versa.

On whether the group would advise the President against policies that cause hardship, Badaru said the PCC has a committee that sits down with northern elders to review policies that help or burden the North, and adjustments are made.

“We report these to the President, and I assure you he is not rigid; if proven that a policy harms the public, he amends it,” he said.

Asked what he would tell a Jigawa citizen who voted for Tinubu in 2023 but is now facing hardship due to high cost of living, Badaru said:

“Firstly, we in Jigawa are farmers, and farming is ongoing. I will tell them that the current hardship is temporary, and we are beginning to see light. These reforms were done to help Nigeria stand firmly on its feet economically and create employment. Relief is starting to show as food prices begin to stabilise.”

He said the President distributed fertilisers freely to farmers across nearly 26 agricultural states, many have benefited, and more assistance is on the way.

He also cited intervention cash transfers like the N50,000 disbursement which is ongoing to cushion economic hardship, alongside various state government palliative programmes.

On claims that the N50,000 was only introduced because of election season, Badaru said: “Whatever the opposition says, they will say we did not do it right. But support is being delivered.”

On what the North stands to gain if Tinubu wins a second term, amid opposition claims that he is an enemy of the North, Badaru dismissed the claim.

“There is no talk of hating the North; the major concern for the North right now is security, and I know the efforts and major strategies being put in place to enhance security equipment and frameworks,” he said.

“Next is agriculture — there is a committee chaired by the Vice President addressing how to improve agriculture and assist farmers.”