A former chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Sheikh Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, has warned that denying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a second term in office could trigger a political crisis, arguing that Nigeria must maintain fairness in its power rotation between the North and South.
Pakistan reportedly made the remarks while addressing youth groups at his residence in Kano on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to reports by Nigerian media outlets, the former NAHCON chairman argued that Tinubu should be allowed to complete two terms in office, just as former President Muhammadu Buhari served two terms between 2015 and 2023.
'Nobody Will Allow a Northerner Two Terms Again'
Pakistan reportedly criticised what he described as regional politics, warning that rejecting a presidential candidate because of their geographical origin could create problems for Nigeria in the future.
He argued that Tinubu supported Buhari's ambition to complete two terms despite concerns about the former president's health, questioning why some Nigerians were now opposed to Tinubu seeking re-election.
The former NAHCON chairman warned that denying Tinubu a second term could undermine the country's political stability and the informal understanding surrounding power rotation between northern and southern Nigeria.
His remarks have added another voice to the ongoing political debate over the 2027 presidential election and whether Tinubu should be given another four-year term.
However, his warning represents his political assessment and does not establish that rejecting Tinubu's re-election bid would necessarily trigger a crisis.
Pakistan Blames Buhari's Administration for Banditry
The former NAHCON chairman also discussed Nigeria's worsening insecurity, arguing that Tinubu inherited major security challenges from the previous administration.
According to him, Boko Haram insurgency existed before Buhari assumed office in 2015, while banditry and widespread kidnapping became major security concerns during Buhari's presidency.
He referred to kidnapping incidents in Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi states, arguing that insecurity in these areas became a serious challenge under the former president.
Pakistan also claimed that travelling along the Abuja-Kaduna highway was extremely dangerous during Buhari's second term, with passengers reportedly worried about their safety throughout the journey.
It is important to note, however, that kidnapping existed in Nigeria before Buhari became president. Although banditry and mass kidnappings escalated significantly in parts of northwestern Nigeria during his administration, the assertion that kidnapping itself began under Buhari requires historical qualification.
Claims of Improved Security Under Tinubu
Pakistan reportedly maintained that security had improved along the Abuja-Kaduna highway under Tinubu's administration.
He suggested that travellers could now make the journey more safely than during the previous administration, contrasting the current situation with the fear that accompanied road travel in earlier years.
He also referred to the Abuja-Kaduna railway, which suffered a deadly attack in March 2022. The attack involved gunmen who killed passengers and abducted others, raising serious concerns about railway security.
While Pakistan argued that the situation had improved under Tinubu, his assessment should not be interpreted as proof that all security threats along the highway and railway have been eliminated.
A comprehensive assessment would require up-to-date security reports and independently verified information about attacks, kidnappings and passenger safety.
Former NAHCON Chairman Compares Food Prices Under Buhari and Tinubu
The former commission chairman also cited food prices as evidence of what he considers an improvement under Tinubu.
According to his account, a bag of rice that sold for approximately ₦120,000 under Buhari now sells for around ₦57,500.
He also claimed that the price of a bag of millet had fallen from approximately ₦85,000 during Buhari's administration to about ₦30,000 under Tinubu.
However, these figures were attributed to Pakistan and have not been independently established as representative of prices nationwide.
Food prices vary across locations, markets, product varieties and periods. A proper comparison would require information about the bag sizes, locations and dates involved, alongside reliable market-price data.
Furthermore, lower prices for selected commodities in particular markets would not, by themselves, establish that the overall cost of living has declined for Nigerian households.
2027 Election Debate Intensifies
Pakistan's remarks come as political discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential election continue to focus on insecurity, economic hardship, regional representation and the informal principle of power rotation.
Supporters of a second Tinubu term may argue that political continuity is important, while critics may contend that the president's performance should be the principal consideration when voters decide whether to re-elect him.
Nigeria's Constitution does not limit presidential candidates to a particular region, and eligible voters will ultimately determine the outcome of the election through the democratic process.
The former NAHCON chairman's comments have therefore raised questions about the relationship between regional political expectations, presidential performance and the future of power rotation in Nigeria.
What do you think? Should regional power rotation influence the 2027 presidential election, or should voters focus primarily on the performance of the government? Share your opinion in the comments section.
Source
Reports by Nigerian media outlets, including Naija News and Legit.ng, attributed the statements to former NAHCON chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan.
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