Katsina elders disown comments on Tinubu’s re-election

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Katsina elders disown comments on Tinubu’s re-election

Members of the Katsina Elders’ Forum have distanced themselves from a statement made by the group’s secretary, Mohammed Aliyu, in which he suggested that the people of Katsina would not support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Justice Sadiq Abdullahi-Mahuta, a key member of the forum and the Galadima Katsina, firmly rejected Mr Aliyu’s remarks, stating that they did not represent the forum’s official stance.

“This is not an elder’s language. It is not our position,” Mr Abdullahi-Mahuta said.

“We completely dissociate the Katsina Elders’ Forum from this statement. Our forum is not for politics. We are a group of respected elders concerned about the development and progress of the state and Nigeria.”

The controversy arose following the arrest of Prof. Usman Yusuf, a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Aliyu had linked Prof. Yusuf’s detention to political persecution, warning that it could affect Katsina’s support for President Tinubu in 2027.

However, Mr Abdullahi-Mahuta clarified that while the forum was not against calls for a fair trial or Prof. Yusuf’s release, it would not align itself with political threats or sentiments.

“The arrest and detention of Prof. Yusuf is not the solution,” he said.

“He should either be released or face a fair trial in court. That is our position, but we are not part of any statement suggesting that the people of Katsina will not vote for the president.”

The district head of Malumfashi further stressed that political choices remained a personal decision.

“Every individual has the right to support and vote for any candidate they believe will meet their needs,” he added.

Mr Abdullahi-Mahuta concluded that the purpose of the briefing was to set the record straight.

“Thanks to Almighty Allah, Prof. Yusuf has been released, but we must be clear, our forum does not engage in partisan politics.”