Yakasai rebuffs El-Rufai’s call for opposition coalition, rallies support for Tinubu

As political tensions simmer ahead of the 2027 elections, elder statesman and First Republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration, praising its efforts in stabilizing the economy and improving the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking to journalists in Kano on Sunday, Yakasai expressed optimism about the nation’s economic trajectory, crediting Tinubu’s leadership for what he described as a gradual reduction in food and fuel prices.

Yakasai highlighted what he perceives as improvements in the cost of living, citing reports that essential food items such as rice, beans, maize, and sorghum have become more affordable.

“Families can now buy basic foodstuffs without the heavy burden they once faced,” he said. “I’ve also been informed that the cost of petrol has dropped, with some stations selling for as low as N850 per liter compared to the previous N1,150. This is a significant relief for transportation and mobility across the country.”

A longtime supporter of Tinubu’s presidency, Yakasai urged northerners to continue backing the administration, reassuring them that they are not being sidelined in the government’s policies and programs. He insisted that more developmental initiatives were on the way, emphasizing that Tinubu’s government had only begun to implement its vision.

Beyond economic progress, Yakasai called on Nigerians, particularly the political class, to engage in issue-based discourse rather than divisive rhetoric. He encouraged informed criticism and meaningful contributions to governance, stating that democracy thrives on constructive dialogue.

In a moment of personal reflection, the elder statesman also mourned the recent passing of political figures Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clarke, whom he described as close friends and associates. “Their loss is not just personal; it is a great loss to the nation,” he said.

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Yakasai’s endorsement of Tinubu comes at a time when opposition forces are rallying to challenge the president’s bid for a second term. Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been at the forefront of this effort, recently defecting from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

At the weekend, El-Rufai called on opposition heavyweights including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola to unite against Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

However, El-Rufai’s call was met with resistance from some political figures, including former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In an interview with BBC Hausa on Sunday, Lamido dismissed El-Rufai’s proposal, pointing out the contradictions in the former governor’s political journey.

“The PDP nurtured El-Rufai’s political career. He is not in a position to make us abandon the party,” Lamido said.

He also took a jab at El-Rufai’s previous statement that Nigerian politics lacked “adults,” questioning why he was now seeking alliances. “Leadership requires patience and vision, not anger or self-interest,” Lamido remarked.

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