Tag: Dr Babangida Aliyu

Former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has said that if Nigerians could endure the leadership of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari for eight years, then President Bola Tinubu deserves a fair chance to complete two terms in office.

Aliyu, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, made the statement during an interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show..

He argued that the principle of rotational presidency between the North and South should be respected, and that attempts by northern politicians to contest in 2027 could create tension.

“I have heard many of the aspirants already saying they will serve one term,” he said. “If a northerner says he’s serving one term, what problem is he creating for the North?”

Aliyu added that despite challenges during Buhari’s tenure, Nigerians tolerated him for eight years and could also allow Tinubu to finish his term and possibly a second.

“If we could tolerate the late Muhammadu Buhari for eight years, let’s try this one. Maybe by 2031, we can review the arrangement,” he said.

He noted that while opposition groups like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are gaining momentum, they must present credible options to the people.

“My argument has always been, what is the alternative? If you want to remove a president, what are you offering the people in return?”

Aliyu also warned that growing defections within political parties could escalate. “For now, only governors and lawmakers are defecting. By 2031, you may end up with a presidential defection. Is that not a constitutional issue?”

Former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making progress but has failed to effectively communicate its accomplishments to the public.

Aliyu made this observation during an appearance on The Morning Show, a current affairs programme aired on Arise Television.

His comments were in response to the recent public accountability session held in Kaduna, where federal ministers and top government officials presented the administration’s performance to stakeholders from the North.

The session, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), was aimed at addressing concerns raised by some northern political figures who claimed the region was being sidelined under Tinubu’s leadership. Aliyu currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation.

Speaking on the discussions that took place during the Kaduna forum, Aliyu noted that several ministries and government agencies have recorded notable achievements, but poor communication has left the public largely unaware.

“What I understood from all the discussions that we’ve had is that the government officials are either shy or are not communicating well. You do not depend only on the Ministry of Information to be able to communicate with the citizens,” Aliyu said.

He emphasised the need for individual ministers and agency heads to actively engage the public and explain what they are doing, rather than relying solely on centralised communication channels.

Aliyu added that ongoing challenges such as insecurity, kidnapping, and poverty have also negatively affected public perception of the administration, even though progress is being made in some areas.

According to him, the government must adopt a more direct and people-focused approach to communication, rather than being overly concerned with political narratives.

He also backed calls from the North for greater inclusion and benefits, pointing out that a significant portion of the votes that brought Tinubu to power came from the region.

“If by what we say that 63 to 64 percent of the vote came from the North, it is only logical that the region would expect so much from the government,” Aliyu said. “But from what we have seen so far, the government is doing well — they just don’t know how to communicate very well.”

He urged the administration to become more transparent and deliberate in engaging with the Nigerian public to build trust and understanding across all regions.