Tanko Yakasai, an elder statesman, has called on Nigerians to condemn and oppose the call on Northerners by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farooq Umar to vote for their own in the 2023 general elections.
Yakasai in a statement on Thursday, December 29, 2022, he personally signed and titled “MY REACTION TO EMIR OF DAURA’S CODED CAMPAIGN MESSAGE FOR PDP” that was made available to newsmen in Kano, said it is expedient to oppose the dangerous attempt to turn back the history of the country whereby some politicians will use some traditional rulers as tools to promote negative trend in political campaigns.
He however cautioned the first-class emir to resist being used to destroy healthy political systems in Nigeria by reinventing tribal politics.
The elder statesman alleged that comment by former minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sani Zango Daura that urged Northerners to vote for their own in the forthcoming elections and was subsequently re-echoed by the first class emir was “not only divisive, unhealthy, but outdated.”
According to him, “I have noticed an attempt by some political players trying to revive the already discarded practice where some politicians were using some misguided traditional rulers to use their exalted positions to engage into political campaigns to denigrate some parties in order to undermine their standing in the society.
“I see here a conscious effort by these two foremost Northern leaders to destroy a pan-Nigerian dream where every citizen can’t nurse a legitimate ambition.
“Such negative tendencies and practices should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians, while it is also expedient to oppose this dangerous attempt to turn back the history of our country whereby some traditional rulers will be used by some politicians as tools to promote negative trends in political campaigns.
“Although, I am now an old man, I still have some strengths to fight such negative tendencies from raising their ugly heads in our present-day healthy political atmosphere.
“I urge all Nigerians to join me in this fight in the interest of peaceful pursuit of any political ambition,” Yakasai however stated.
Buhari Urges Nigerians To Vote For People Who Promise To ‘Sustain His Legacies’
In his Christmas message, President Muhammadu Buhari urged Nigerians to vote for those who will maintain the momentum created by his administration as he promised to continue working towards leaving lasting legacies.
“Until my last day in office, I will continue to provide political and material support to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions, and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability, and progress of Nigeria,” the president said.
“The advances we have made so far on the economic front, especially in infrastructure; food security, anti-corruption, security, energy sufficiency, among others, will need to be built on.”
He urged Nigerians to vote wisely.
“This joyous season has coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration.
“I urge you to be circumspect and vote for those that will maintain the momentum we have created for the greater good of the country.
“It is another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate its democratic credentials as has been noted in international circles.
“Let the peace and joy that pervade this period continue well into the new year up to the elections in February and beyond.
“I want to assure Nigerians that those who violently seek to disrupt the peace of our nation have lost the battle.
“For me and my family, this year’s celebration is unique. It is my last as your elected President.
“Twenty-two weeks from now, this administration will hand over to another.”
He wish citizens joyous celebrations.
