On August 7, 2024, Aisha Yesufu, a prominent socio-political activist, addressed and dismissed the rumors suggesting that Northern Nigeria is plotting against President Bola Tinubu. Yesufu emphasized that these claims are unfounded, given the significant support Tinubu received from the North during the 2023 presidential election.
Yesufu pointed out that Northerners showed immense backing for Tinubu, particularly due to the Muslim-Muslim ticket. She recalled that Northern Muslim leaders and scholars were vocal in their support, with some even claiming that Islam itself would be at risk if Tinubu did not win. According to Yesufu, these leaders argued that Tinubu’s victory was crucial for the integrity of the Muslim community in Nigeria.
In her post on X, Yesufu questioned the logic behind the accusations that the North would now be working against Tinubu simply because he is from the South. She highlighted the irony of such claims, noting that the North played a pivotal role in securing the votes needed for Tinubu to win the presidency. If the North had opposed him, Tinubu would not have had the critical numbers required to secure his position.
Yesufu’s comments come amidst recent protests under the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria banner, where there were accusations that the North is seeking a regime change. Some protesters even called for a military takeover. However, the Nigerian military has distanced itself from these calls and has not shown any intention to intervene in the political process.