Re: 2027 poll: North Central stakeholders call for Shettima’s removal, by Umar D. Duhu

I read with consternation the call by a group unknown to the law named ‘The North-Central Renaissance Movement’ who are demanding for the presidency in 2027, with conditions for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to remove His Excellency Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON as the running mate on APC Ticket in the 2027.

This has indeed sparked a national conversation about Nigeria’s political landscape and representation.

While the movement’s concerns about marginalization and exclusion could be valid, their approach warrants a very careful reflexion.

There is no doubt that North-Central region has been marginalized in Nigeria’s present political privileges, with no good representation in the highest offices.

This exclusion could have probably contributed to the region’s perceived sense of disenfranchisement, underdevelopment and insecurity.

The movement’s demand for a North-Central president or vice president highlights the need for greater representation and inclusion in Nigeria’s politics and governance space.

The movement’s condition that President Tinubu must drop Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON and pick a running mate from the North-Central region is inconceivable indeed a very complex issue. On one hand, this demand could be seen as a legitimate attempt to address the region’s historical marginalization.

On the other hand, it may be perceived as an attempt to strong-arm the president into making concessions, rather than engaging in constructive dialogue. What a complex conditional support measure.

To make it look a legitimate demand, the North-Central Renaissance Movement could have focus on building alliances with other regions and political parties to promote inclusive governance.

Collaborative approach solution could help the North-Central Renaissance Movement to; Foster national unity and cohesion, promote inter-regional understanding and cooperation and develop more inclusive and representative political system.

Furthermore, the movement could have channelled more of their agitations to invest in human capital and infrastructure development to enhance the region’s competitiveness. This will involve collaborative reginal politicking, investing in education and skills training, developing critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and healthcare facilities and promoting economic development and job creation.

Ultimately, the North-Central Renaissance Movement’s demands in the long-term may highlight the need for constitutional reforms that promote greater representation and inclusion for marginalized regions. Which shall involve; reforming Nigeria’s electoral laws to promote greater representation and inclusion, devolving power to regional and local governments, promote more inclusive decision-making and establishing mechanisms for greater citizen participation and engagement in our political processes.

However, dropping the name of the Vice President His Excellency Kashim Shettima GCON may be with disdain by many of us and peoples of the North-East Region, considering his humongous contributions to the government, his current position and influence in the polity. It is essential to approach your demands with caution and diplomacies to avoid potential consequences of a more strained relationships.

Invoking the Vice President’s name without proper context or authorization could damage the regions relationships with his supporters, colleagues, friends or even the Vice President himself. Misusing or dropping his name will certainly raise questions about credibility and authenticity of the movement which will potentially harm reputation and trust.

Rather than embark on fruitless exercise, I opine that the North-Central Renaissance Movement focuses on issues instead of name-dropping. They could focus on the issues and policies relevant to the North-Central region’s demands. This way the approach may show a genuine interest in addressing the region’s concerns.

The North-Central Renaissance Movement could equally collaborate and form alliances with stakeholders, experts, and influencers to build support for the North-Central region’s demands. This strategy can help create a stronger and more unified voice.

I rebuke the North-Central Renaissance Movement to note, when discussing the North-Central region’s demands, it’s crucial to be respectful, tactful, and focused on the issues. Dropping the Vice President’s name unnecessarily, instead, work towards building alliances and advocating for the region’s needs.

In conclusion, the North-Central Renaissance Movement’s demands have sparked an important national conversation about representation, inclusion, and marginalization. While their approach may be contentious, it highlights the need for greater representation and inclusion in Nigeria’s politics and governance. By building alliances, developing capacity, and advocating for reforms, the movement can help to promote a more inclusive and representative political system that will benefit all Nigerians and not necessarily the North-Central alone.

Dr. Umar D. Duhu
Abuja, Nigeria.
[email protected]