By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The National President of the Forum of Ex-Councillors of Nigeria, Ambassador Awal Kasim Hassan, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to respect Nigeria’s zoning arrangement and defer any presidential ambition until 2031.
Speaking in an interview in Kaduna, Hassan said the forum supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the South should be allowed to complete what he described as its turn under the zoning principle.According to him, former councillors across the country remain committed to Tinubu and have continued grassroots mobilisation in support of his administration.
Hassan dismissed suggestions that opposition political movements could significantly affect Tinubu’s support base, insisting that the forum’s nationwide structure remains firmly behind the president.
He argued that the zoning arrangement, which saw former President Muhammadu Buhari serve two terms, should be respected by all political actors. “I advise Atiku Abubakar to wait until 2031 if he wishes to contest again. The zoning principle should be respected in the interest of fairness and political stability,” Hassan said.
The ex-councillors’ leader also stated that the forum has maintained support for Tinubu since his earlier political career and is strengthening its grassroots network ahead of future elections. He added that members of the forum are present in local government areas across the country and remain actively engaged in political mobilisation.
