A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former member of the House of Representatives, Israel Sunny-Goli, has described former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s call for an alliance between the North and South as unwarranted.
Sunny-Goli stated that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria was in safe hands and did not need the kind of rescue that El-Rufai suggested during his condolence visit to late Chief Edwin Clark’s residence.
Speaking during the condolence visit, El-Rufai said Nigeria was facing an existential threat and that the Niger Delta was the glue holding the nation together.
He said, “Our nation, our democracy is in great danger, it is facing an existential threat, and the Niger Delta has been the glue that has been holding the country together. All people of goodwill must come together to ensure that we have good leadership.”
In the statement released Tuesday in Yenagoa, Sunny-Goli described the former Kaduna State governor as calling for an alliance between the Northern and South-South regions in a desperate bid for political relevance.
He pointed out that President Tinubu was diligently addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, which he inherited from his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari.
He emphasised that what Nigeria needed now was for all well-meaning citizens to support President Tinubu’s initiatives, which were aimed at repositioning the country.
The statement read in part, “With due respect to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai, his call for a Northern-South-South alliance is unwarranted, especially when predicated on rescuing Nigeria, as he has suggested.
“It is no secret that this administration inherited a troubled economy and security issues, but through bold policy measures, we are making progress. The Nigerian Armed Forces are intensifying efforts against insurgents, restoring the nation to a path of peace and progress.
“I would advise Malam El Rufai to wait until 2031 if he has ambitions for the nation’s highest office and not involve the South-South region in his political pursuits. While he has a right to his ambitions, the timing and context of his statement were inappropriate, particularly during a condolence visit to the late elder statesman Pa Edwin Clark’s residence, which should have been solely to sympathise with the bereaved family.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the South-South region is well represented in President Tinubu’s administration, with sons and daughters of the region holding significant positions.
“This indicates the region’s close relationship with the president. For instance, Chief Nyesom Wike is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, marking the first time since 1976 that a Southerner holds this position.
“Other key positions include distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as MD of NDDC, Felix Omatsola Ogbe as Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Abubakar Momoh as Minister of Regional Development, Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and our esteemed First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu, among many others.
“I believe the South-South could not ask for a better deal at this time. Perhaps in 2031, we can discuss an alliance, but for now, we fully support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
