Abubakar Malami, the former attorney-general of the federation, has criticized leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their recent endorsements of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, highlighting the pressing issues facing the nation. Malami made his remarks during a meeting organized by the National Political Consultative Group (North) in Abuja on Sunday.
The gathering attracted notable opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, and Chibuike Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts by opposition leaders to form a coalition aimed at challenging Tinubu’s presidency.
In his keynote address, Malami expressed concern that Tinubu’s policies are adversely impacting the economy of northern Nigeria. He criticized the ruling party for prioritizing political endorsements over vital national issues.
“Just a few days ago, the ruling party held its national summit and instead of addressing the serious issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and rising poverty, it chose to focus on politics, endorsing President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 election that is still two years away,” Malami stated. He urged stakeholders to unite in order to “reclaim” the nation and work towards creating a peaceful and prosperous future.
The APC’s national summit, held on May 22 in Abuja, formally endorsed Tinubu as the party’s exclusive candidate for the upcoming election, a decision attended by key party figures, including Tinubu himself and Vice President Shettima.
Malami, who served as attorney-general from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC-led administration, expressed disenchantment regarding the party’s current direction, alongside several members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc of the APC.
Following the meeting, a communique signed by Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation, emphasized the necessity for the northern region to present a unified political stance in future elections. The delegates acknowledged the importance of selfless leadership in both party management and public governance.
The resolution also highlighted the need for constituents to sanction elected leaders who fail to consult them before making decisions, reiterating that the north must prioritize industrialization and productivity to escape the current economic turmoil. Additionally, it called for ensuring that future political support from the north is contingent upon enforceable agreements safeguarding the region’s interests, regardless of the candidates’ backgrounds.