Former Kaduna State Governor and erstwhile Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, in this interview with SAXONE AKHAINE, speaks on diverse national issues, including security challenges, the controversy over the deregistration of political parties, the crisis in the PDP and allegations that he is working for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

What is your assessment of Nigeria’s democracy and governance architecture today? Do you believe the country is making progress, or are there signs of democratic decline?

Well, this is the longest period of uninterrupted democratic rule we have had in the country. In itself, that is an achievement. However, what democracy has delivered to the people is also a matter of concern, and people have different opinions on that.

If we take 1999 as the starting point, we should see continuous improvement. Unfortunately, political parties have become something else; governance has also become something else; and security has not improved, especially as security challenges have become more pronounced.

That is not to say that democratic governance from 1999 to date has achieved nothing. It has certainly recorded some successes. However, the conduct of politicians and the behaviour of some people in government raise serious concerns.

Our inability to either stop or drastically reduce security challenges remains a major problem.

People talk about economic issues and other concerns, but in my view, once substantial progress is made in restoring security, economic activities will blossom, and economic hardship will lessen. If I were to set priorities, security would come first because it has positive multiplier effects on virtually every other sector.

What should we do about these issues? What should those in government, politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and sociocultural leaders do?

My personal view is that there are certain issues that should never be politicised, whether by government or by those outside government. Once such issues are politicised, valuable time is lost in addressing them effectively.

Security, in particular, should not be politicised. If people outside the government raise concerns or offer suggestions on security matters, the government should not dismiss them as mere politics. Likewise, those in opposition should not be happy about insecurity simply because they believe it could improve their electoral prospects. That would be selfish.

Security is a matter that affects everyone. It should unite us while we maintain our different political beliefs and aspirations. In my opinion, Nigeria has reached a point where we need to collectively define our national priorities and address them together, while still maintaining our separate political identities and democratic competition. It is a broad question, but for now, that is my assessment.

Nigerians have been critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of security and political issues, particularly as the country moves towards the 2027 elections. How would you rate the President’s handling of these challenges?

The issue of security should be viewed as a national challenge rather than a partisan matter. Every government should be assessed based on its efforts and results in addressing insecurity, but criticism should be constructive and aimed at helping the country make progress.

As I have consistently maintained, security remains the foundation upon which economic growth, social stability and national development depend. Therefore, the government must continue to prioritise it and be open to useful suggestions from all stakeholders.

How do you view the manner in which the government is handling security issues?

First of all, as someone who served as a governor and handled security matters on a smaller scale, I know that not everything is made public. Without knowing those issues that are not in the public domain, it is difficult to properly assess any leader.

There could be things being done that cannot be made public now. But even if we give the government the benefit of the doubt, the reality on the ground is that the security challenges are becoming wider.

For me, rather than criticising, it is better to advise on the way forward because criticism alone does not solve problems. The President, working with state governors, should declare a national security emergency.

Governance should change so that the first, second, and third priorities become security in all its facets. You cannot be talking about rural electrification and many other projects when faced with these challenges.

The government should commit the next one or two years to addressing security challenges and devote resources to tackling them effectively. That does not mean other responsibilities, such as salaries, pensions, and investments in education and healthcare, should stop. But beyond these, resources should be targeted.

You cannot deal with insecurity without increasing manpower, improving training, providing equipment and ensuring adequate logistics. This should be done jointly by the President and governors. States and local governments receive substantial resources. It cannot be left to the Federal Government alone. It must be a combined effort.

We should not keep reading about repeated attacks. Instead, we should be hearing that criminals are on the run, have been cornered, or have been arrested. But that cannot happen without adequate manpower, training and equipment.

We cannot run the government as if everything is normal. It is almost a state of war. We should treat it as such. Rather than apportion blame, we should think of how all of us can come together. There should be no politics in this.
Recently, some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives called on the President to suspend political activities until insecurity is addressed and even asked him to step aside if he fails.

Well, they too should suspend political activities. What is political activity? We are talking about governance, and that is why I said there should be priorities, with security at the top.

We should declare a national security emergency and provide all the resources, training, manpower, and equipment needed to address the challenge effectively. I do not want this issue politicised, as we will not achieve results if we do.

We have a major problem and must act differently. We cannot continue to run the government as if things are normal when they are not.

Do you think the current administration has enough time to address this issue before the 2027 general elections?

It is not about this administration. Governance is a continuous process. Whichever government comes into office should continue where the previous one left off. That is why a national security emergency is important: it ensures that all political actors, whether in government or outside it, are involved and that politics is removed from the matter.
What is your view on the emerging political realignments and activities of political parties ahead of 2027?

It is natural in a democracy for political parties and political actors to begin consultations, alliances and realignments as elections approach. However, political activities should not distract the government from governance.

Political parties should focus on presenting credible alternatives, articulating clear policies and addressing Nigerians’ concerns instead of merely engaging in political manoeuvring.

Ultimately, Nigerians will judge leaders and parties based on their performance, credibility and commitment to solving the country’s problems.

How do you view the issue of the deregistration of political parties?

I have not heard INEC saying it is deregistering political parties. The High Court made a judgment, and the Court of Appeal also made pronouncements.

Personally, I do not support the deregistration of political parties. Even if there are legal grounds, it is too close to the elections, and people may read political meanings into it.

No political party should be deregistered. Those who have complied with INEC guidelines should be allowed to participate in the 2027 elections.

However, some political parties have been reckless. The Electoral Act requires parties to conduct primaries, even if only one aspirant is involved.

Some parties have acted as though they can do whatever they like without obeying the law. That should not be tolerated. But I still do not support deregistration.

As a stakeholder in the PDP, what is the situation in the party, given the divisions involving the Taminu Turaki and Nyesom Wike camps?

Right from before the national convention, some of us believed in promoting compromise to avoid a crisis. Life itself is about give and take. I am not a factional person. I am a PDP person and also a law-abiding person.

This issue is not about Wike or any group. It is about what the law says and what the regulator recognises. If anyone disagrees with the regulator’s interpretation, the proper thing is to go to court and abide by the outcome.

Political parties, including the PDP, must comply with the law and regulations. Nobody can create their own rules. Leadership disputes should not make party members suffer.

When I was chairman of the caretaker committee, and there was a leadership crisis, INEC recognised my leadership, and we acted responsibly. Whenever INEC recognised Ali Modu-Sheriff, election-related matters were directed to him. We never encouraged people to act outside of INEC’s recognition.

That made reconciliation easier after the final judgment. What is happening now could lead to a situation in which the PDP has no valid candidates or some aspirants lose money and time unnecessarily. If we truly love the party, we should avoid that path. Reconciliation remains the way forward. My position has not changed.

Does the PDP have a future?

Absolutely. Among the political parties, I think the PDP is deeply rooted and not built around any individual. It has a bright future. In the 2027 presidential election, PDP members may vote differently among various presidential candidates. That is the reality.

There cannot be one uniform position across the country. Different states and even individuals within the same state may have different preferences. However, when it comes to governorship, Senate and House of Representatives elections, the PDP has strong chances in many places.

People vote for different reasons — party affiliation, religion, ethnicity or even personal preferences. Those contesting have a lot of work to do. Anyone who assumes victory is already guaranteed underestimates Nigerians.

Do you think the 2027 election may be rigged in favour of the incumbent President and the ruling party?

Only a lazy mind would conclude from the beginning that the election will be rigged. Work to win. Work to prevent rigging. Why should anyone surrender before the contest begins? Things are equal unless we allow them to become unequal.

When Vice President Kashim Shettima came to Kaduna and suggested that you were wasting your time in the PDP, how did you react?

He came to Kaduna, not Kano. It was a friendly jab. That is all I have to say.

Is it true that you and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido are working for President Bola Tinubu, just as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike appears to be doing?

I have clarified that issue. We are not with any individual; we are with the law.

As long as you want to participate in elections, you must follow the law and whatever INEC recognises. According to INEC and the court ruling, it is those elected at the Abuja convention that are recognised and can upload candidates.

People in Kaduna have remained patient with our leadership. I cannot lead them in a way that would prevent them from participating in elections simply because some people allege I am working for someone. That would be irresponsible.

This has nothing to do with anybody. It is about respect for the law and regulations in force at any given time. Tomorrow, if the law changes, I will follow it. There is nothing personal about it.

If that is the case, don’t you think divided opposition votes may work to the incumbent President’s advantage?

The votes will naturally be divided among the candidates. Why did the opposition not come together? In other countries, opposition parties unite behind one candidate.

Sometimes, we in the opposition are part of the problem because everyone insists, “It must be me.” Personal ambition should have been set aside so that a suitable candidate, whether from the North or South, could emerge and enjoy broad support. Once votes are divided, they will naturally remain divided.

What is the position of the PDP in Kaduna State?

For me, it is an open race. It depends on how hard people work. I want my party to do well, but I will not reveal everything. I prefer to be underrated. What I can say is that voters, not only in Kaduna but in many parts of the country, largely vote for individuals. Those who work hard will receive support in any way we can provide it. It is an open race. That is all I can say.