Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, has expressed his admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's plans for Nigeria. With nearly 40 years of experience in politics, Masari stated that he has never seen a Nigerian president with better plans for the country. He made these comments at a recent public function in Kaduna, as reported by HM Arewa, a Hausa-language media platform.
Masari's remarks were contained in a video published on Tuesday, where he confidently asserted that Tinubu's plans would make Nigeria great. He emphasized that even if he were asked to swear, he would still stand by his statement. The former Katsina State governor has been a vocal supporter of Tinubu's administration, and his comments come amid criticisms that the president has achieved little since taking office.
Masari defended Tinubu's record, arguing that similar criticisms had been directed at previous administrations, including those of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. He claimed that critics had previously accused those administrations of sectionalism and tribalism and were now using similar narratives against Tinubu. According to Masari, those who claim that Tinubu has done nothing are simply unappreciative of his efforts.
The former Speaker also questioned the use of religion and ethnicity in political discussions, asking whether religion should be associated exclusively with particular ethnic groups. He urged Nigerians to focus on the president's plans and policies rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric. Masari's comments come as the 2027 general election approaches, and politicians begin to position themselves for the next round of elections.
With the election on the horizon, Masari called on women preachers to use their influence within their families and communities to discourage divisive political rhetoric. He encouraged them to promote a more positive and inclusive form of politics, emphasizing that divisive talk is only pushed by people who are deeply selfish. Masari's appeal is seen as an effort to promote a more constructive and issue-based campaign.
Masari has a long history of involvement in Nigerian politics, having served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 and later governing Katsina State from 2015 to 2023. More recently, he was appointed Deputy Director-General, Parliamentary Mobilisation, of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid in August.
Masari's praise for Tinubu's plans has been reported widely in Nigeria, with many analysts seeing it as a significant endorsement from a respected politician. As the country prepares for the next general election, opinions on Tinubu's performance and plans for the future are likely to continue to be a major topic of discussion.
Key points
- Masari praises Tinubu's plans, saying he's never seen a better leader in 40 years of politics.
- Masari defends Tinubu's record, comparing it to previous administrations.
- Masari urges Nigerians to focus on the president's plans and policies rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.
