2027: Arewa Group cautions against divisive politics

Northern leaders under the aegis of the Arewa Think Tank have called on Nigerians in the North to reject divisive politics and embrace unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. The appeal was made on Sunday in Kaduna during a prayer session organised to mark the 74th birthday of President Bola Tinubu, an event that […]

Northern leaders under the aegis of the Arewa Think Tank have called on Nigerians in the North to reject divisive politics and embrace unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The appeal was made on Sunday in Kaduna during a prayer session organised to mark the 74th birthday of President Bola Tinubu, an event that also doubled as a platform for political reflection on the country’s future.

Speaking at Arewa House, the convener of the group, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said the gathering went beyond celebration, stressing the urgent need for cohesion among Northern communities in the face of rising political tensions.

“We must not allow ourselves to be divided along ethnic or religious lines,” Yakubu said. “The North has always been strongest when it speaks with one voice. As we approach 2027, unity must guide our choices, not sentiments that weaken our collective interest.”

He warned that divisive rhetoric and identity-based politics could undermine national stability, urging political actors to prioritise issue-based engagement over sectional narratives.

Yakubu noted that while political competition is inevitable, it should not come at the expense of peace and national cohesion.

He called on community leaders, clerics, and youth groups across the region to promote tolerance and resist attempts to inflame differences for political gain.

The Arewa Think Tank leader also referenced ongoing reforms under President Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system, describing them as difficult but necessary steps that require patience and national support.

According to him, such policies should be debated constructively rather than exploited to deepen divisions among Nigerians.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Yakubu framed the moment as a test of leadership and unity, particularly for the North, which he said holds significant influence in shaping the country’s democratic direction.

“This is not just about politics; it is about the future of our children and the stability of our nation. We must choose dialogue over division, and vision over vendetta,” he said.

Yakubu urged Northerners to remain vigilant against manipulation and to uphold values of coexistence, adding that sustainable progress can only be achieved in an atmosphere of mutual respect and shared purpose.