The Northern Elders Forum has registered the region’s regret for pitching a tent with President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
It said the mistake of voting for the then-candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taught the North a lesson.
The forum recently came hard on the President when it lamented the growing insecurity across the country.
The elders said the recent abduction of Kuriga school children in Kaduna indicated that the current administration “has failed to protect Nigerians just a few months in office.”
In a chat with The Guardian, yesterday, spokesperson for the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said going forward, the region will now prioritise unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land.
Recall that in the 2023 general elections, Tinubu polled 8,794,726 total votes to be declared President.
North West, North East and North Central gave the President a combined ballot of 5.4 million.
Responding to a question on the recent visit and donation by former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi to northern communities, Suleiman stated “The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future.
“They have learned from their past misstep and will strive to select a candidate, who can unite the country and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.
“Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency.
“They will prioritise someone, who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country. The mistake of supporting Tinubu in 2023 has taught them the importance of unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in the land.”