Don’t trust Northern elders, speak directly to people — Adamawa commissioner tells Tinubu

By Sunday Ameh

The Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Leader Leneke, has warned President Bola Tinubu against relying heavily on Northern political elites and elders ahead of the 2027 general election.

Leneke said the interests of influential Northern politicians may not always reflect those of ordinary people in the region, urging Tinubu to communicate his administration’s achievements directly to Nigerians.

“Mr. President, don’t trust these Northern elites and elders. Speak directly to the people. Show the people your scorecard.”

The commissioner spoke on Tuesday during an interview.

According to him, the Tinubu administration has recorded achievements in areas such as security and infrastructure, but has not done enough to communicate them effectively to Nigerians, particularly in the North.

He urged the President to establish a structured system for informing citizens about government projects and achievements, describing effective communication as critical to Tinubu’s 2027 strategy.

Leneke further alleged that some Northern elites who benefit from government resources may be unwilling to openly campaign for Tinubu.

“If Mr President depend on the Northern elite, let me tell you the truth, they have not done well for their people and they are very afraid to go out in the open,” he said.

He also claimed that giving such political figures substantial resources for mobilisation could be counterproductive, alleging that some may retain most of the resources while giving only a fraction to those expected to campaign for the President.

The commissioner therefore advised Tinubu to bypass political intermediaries and engage directly with the people as the 2027 election approaches.