Prof. Ango Abdullahi, convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), warned that any attempt to subvert a free, fair and credible election will be met with resistance. He delivered this warning at the ongoing General Assembly and 10th Anniversary Celebration of the NEF, held on Wednesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Abdullahi emphasized that the North has consistently supported leaders from other regions, “rubbed more backs” than it has received, and therefore has no right to be told it cannot aspire to the presidency. He asserted that the North’s right to contest the highest office is unquestionable and that the outcome of any election should be accepted without sentiment, based solely on the thumbprint of the voters. Citing the constitution, he noted that a candidate may stand for election repeatedly and lose repeatedly, yet nothing should prevent them from contesting again if they wish.
He highlighted the historical distribution of power since 1999: Obasanjo served eight years, Jonathan six, Umar u Khalifa two, and Buhari eight, totaling fourteen years of northern leadership. By this accounting, the North is owed four additional years. Abdullahi argued that the political environment should be grounded in democratic principles, with no reservations or exclusions. “If you win an election, we will accept it,” he said, adding that any threats or attempts to undermine the process will be countered.
Director‑General of the Forum, Prof. Doknan Sheni, echoed this stance, stating that the North will accept any candidate who wins fairly under the principle of one person, one vote. He warned that the Forum will not be intimidated by uncivil utterances, threats of violence, or coercion to support a candidate on non‑democratic grounds.
Among the attendees were Governor Nasir El‑Rufai of Kaduna State, Labour Party vice‑presidential candidate Senator Datti Baba‑Ahmed, and a representative of the All‑Progressives Congress vice‑presidential candidate Senator Kashim Shettima.
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