Masari Urges Nigerians to Reject Ethnic, Religious Politics Ahead of 2027
Former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has urged Nigerians to resist the use of ethnic and religious sentiments for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Masari made the call at a public function in Kaduna, where he also defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and said Nigerians should look beyond the criticisms surrounding the government.
The former governor, who has been involved in Nigerian politics for nearly four decades, said similar criticisms had followed previous administrations.
He cited the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying allegations of sectionalism and tribalism emerged after his first four years in office. He added that former President Goodluck Jonathan faced similar criticism, arguing that comparable narratives were now being directed at Tinubu.
“A short look at our history shows that in 1999, after Obasanjo finished his first four years, these same people came out with issues of sectionalism and tribalism,” Masari said.
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“They did the exact same thing to Goodluck Jonathan, and that is exactly what they are doing now.”
Masari also questioned the practice of linking particular religions exclusively with specific ethnic groups.
“What surprises me about our people when they talk about religion is this, is religion exclusive to the Hausa, the Yoruba, or even the Igbo?” he asked.
He appealed to women preachers to use their influence in their families and communities to discourage rhetoric that could deepen ethnic and religious divisions as the 2027 elections approach.
“Each and every one of you knows how to talk to her husband or children better than anyone else can,” he said.
Masari further alleged that some of the divisive narratives were being promoted by individuals pursuing personal interests, urging Nigerians not to allow political interests to exploit religious and ethnic sentiments.
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While defending Tinubu, Masari said the President’s plans for Nigeria were unlike those of any president he had encountered during his years in politics.
“I can confidently say I have never seen a president with better plans to make Nigeria great than Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have simply never seen anyone like him,” he said.
Masari served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 and later governed Katsina State from 2015 to 2023.
In August, he was appointed Deputy Director-General, Parliamentary Mobilisation, of the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign council for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
