 Publicity Secretary, Garba Tela Herwagana, has stirred political debate with his){kind=link}
Former Gombe State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Publicity Secretary, Garba Tela Herwagana, has stirred political debate with his assessment of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s repeated presidential bids and the role of northern voters in determining Nigeria’s political leadership.
Herwagana argued that Atiku might have attained the presidency already if he had hailed from some of the northern states with strong political influence, including Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto or Kebbi.
Speaking in Hausa, the former PDP spokesman said Atiku had endured significant political setbacks despite his long-standing ambition to lead Nigeria.
“Had Atiku been from Kano, Katsina, Zaria, Sokoto or Kebbi, I swear, considering the hardship he has endured, he would have become President by now,” he said.
Herwagana also blamed what he described as ethnic sentiments and political divisions among northern communities for some of the challenges confronting the region.
He maintained that the Hausa people, given their numerical strength and political influence, have a major role to play in determining the direction of northern politics.
According to him, Atiku’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election was partly connected to the voting pattern in Kano, arguing that the state’s large population could significantly influence the political choices of the wider North.
“If Kano fully supports you, the whole of the North will follow,” he said.
As political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Herwagana called on northerners to look beyond tribal, ethnic and party affiliations when deciding who to support.
He urged voters to consider Atiku as one of their own, describing the former vice-president as a Hausa man with an Adamawa background.
“Let us put aside all forms of tribalism and be patient and support Atiku. He is also your fellow Hausa man, with a slight Adamawa identity,” he said.
Herwagana further appealed for political unity across the northern region, arguing that voters should prioritise what he described as the collective interest of the North irrespective of political party.
He called on northerners who genuinely desire change to unite ahead of 2027 and throw their weight behind Atiku.
“Regardless of the political party, we should be patient and unite to massively vote for Atiku alone because he is the solution,” he said.
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