Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, says that in nearly 40 years of active involvement in Nigerian politics, he has never seen a president with better plans for the country than President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Masari made the remarks while addressing a group of women at a recent public function reportedly held in Kaduna. His comments were contained in a video published on Tuesday by HM Arewa, a Hausa-language media platform.
The former governor said his assessment of Tinubu was based on his long experience of observing successive administrations in the country.
“Even if I were asked to swear, on my age and my political involvement for almost 40 years, I can confidently say I have never seen a president with better plans to make Nigeria great than Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have simply never seen anyone like him,” he said.
Masari also dismissed claims that the Tinubu administration had achieved nothing, arguing that similar criticisms had been directed at previous governments.
He cited the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying that critics raised allegations of sectionalism and tribalism after Obasanjo’s first four years in office.
According to Masari, similar criticisms were later directed at the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and are now being repeated against Tinubu.
“The people who claim that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done nothing are the kind of people who never appreciate when someone is doing well,” he said.
“A short look at our history shows that in 1999, after Obasanjo finished his first four years, these same people came out with issues of sectionalism and tribalism.
“They did the exact same thing to Goodluck Jonathan, and that is exactly what they are doing now.
“Those among them who are still alive, along with the ones they raised to think the same way, are the ones behind this.”
Masari also criticised what he described as attempts by some political actors to exploit religious sentiments, questioning the notion that religion could be associated exclusively with particular ethnic groups.
“What surprises me about our people when they talk about religion is this: is religion exclusive to the Hausa, the Yoruba, or even the Igbo?” he asked.
He urged women preachers to use their influence to discourage divisive rhetoric as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election intensify.
“Each and every one of you knows how to talk to her husband or children better than anyone else can,” Masari told the women.
Masari served as governor of Katsina State from 2015 to 2023 and was subsequently appointed Deputy Director-General, Parliamentary Mobilisation, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council in August.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu seeking another term and opposition parties preparing their candidates and campaign structures.
According to information supplied by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other presidential contenders include former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peter Obi, among others.
