Nothing wrong in Tinubu’s meeting with Kwankwaso, says aide
As discussions intensify around the integrity of the 2027 general elections, former political adviser to the Vice President, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has warned that anything short of a transparent electoral process can push the nation towards unprecedented turmoil.
Meanwhile, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, saw nothing wrong in President Bola Tinubu’s recent meeting with the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“Politicians talk; it’s not a sin talking across lines,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday.
Baba-Ahmed took to his verified X account, yesterday, to stress the urgent need for Nigeria’s political leaders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to heed the growing concerns being raised about the credibility of the next general elections.
“Voices are being raised regarding integrity of the 2027 elections. Our leaders and INEC should listen. Anything short of the most transparent elections will produce neither winners nor losers. Rigging will risk plunging this country into its worst crises. No one wants that,” he wrote.
His remarks came amid the proposal by the House of Representatives for the five elections to be conducted in a single day.
If the proposal is upheld, the reviewed Electoral Act would empower INEC to conduct the presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and House of Assembly polls in one day.
On his part, the presidential aide said: “So, the presidency or friends of the president talking to Kwankwaso or the other way round should not be seen as anything strange or looked at with disdain or suspicion. After all, it’s politics and people align, re-align and shape their political positions.”
Abdulaziz said Kwankwaso and Tinubu had a longstanding relationship of more than three decades, both as senators and governors, and their recent meeting should not ignite any suspicion.
