North Backed Southern Presidency Despite Challenges — PDP Leader Speaks on El-Rufai’s Treatment

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jaafar Bello, has expressed concern over the treatment of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that northern political leaders who supported the emergence of a southern president deserve fairness and respect.

Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Bello stated that the North made major political sacrifices in the interest of national unity and democratic stability by supporting a southern presidency despite prevailing political tensions at the time.

According to him, leaders who contributed to preserving national balance and political cooperation should not later face unfair treatment because of evolving political disagreements.

“The North continued to back people like Nasir El-Rufai, who, despite facing many obstacles, fought for a southern presidency,” Bello stated.

“However, look at how the current administration in the South is treating him. He is imprisoned for a supposed offense, and the requirements for his bail are set in an impossible manner.”

Bello argued that the role played by northern political actors in supporting power rotation and regional balance reflected a broader commitment to national cohesion and teamwork across Nigeria’s political landscape.

He maintained that such sacrifices should strengthen unity and mutual understanding among the country’s regions rather than deepen political divisions.

The PDP leader further stressed the need for more dialogue, tolerance and political understanding among stakeholders, noting that the current political climate demands cooperation to sustain public confidence in democracy and governance.

According to him, building trust among political leaders and regions remains critical to preserving stability ahead of future elections.

The comments come amid growing political debates and alignments across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

— News House Political Desk