News Rendezvous

– Northern Youths Will Never Support a Obi/ElRufai Ticket
Interview with Comrade Dr. Elliot Afiyo, National President of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF)
Comrade Dr. Elliot Afiyo is the National President of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF), an umbrella organization of 42 Northern youth groups formed on September 26, 1994, by Northern political, religious, and military elites to protect Northern interests within the national framework. He is also the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Monarchs (AWAM) and a senior pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)

In this interview with News Rendezvous in Abeokuta, Dr. Afiyo shares his perspectives on national political developments, particularly the 2027 presidential election.

“We Have Concluded Consultations for an Igbo Presidency in 2027”

Rendezvous:                                                    Dr. Afiyo, you are welcome to Abeokuta, and congratulations on the successful celebration of Baba’s 88th birthday. In recent months, you have been noticeably silent on national issues. What prompted this?
Dr. Afiyo:                                                               Dr. Afiyo, you are welcome to Abeokuta, and congratulations on the successful celebration of Baba’s 88th birthday. In recent months, you have been noticeably silent on national issues. What prompted this?

Dr. Afiyo:                                                     Thank you. The birthday celebrations were indeed successful. As for our silence, we do not rush to the press without clearance from our patrons.
“Obi-El-Rufai Ticket is Dead on Arrival”

Rendezvous:
What is the position of your forum concerning the political alignments toward the 2027 presidential election?
Dr. Afiyo:
We have concluded our consultations, and I am glad to inform you that all our patrons have endorsed the idea of a coalition that will produce an Igbo presidency in 2027.
Rendezvous:
Does this mean the Obi-El-Rufai ticket is a possibility?

Dr. Afiyo:
The Obi-El-Rufai ticket is dead on arrival due to divisions in the North. The only ticket that can unite Northerners and secure block votes are either Obi-Dauda Lawal, Obi-Fintiri, Orji Kalu-Dauda Lawal, or Kalu-Fintiri. These combinations guarantee a strong challenge against the APC or any other party.
Our research indicates that Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State are the only Northern politicians capable of bridging regional differences. Similarly, Peter Obi and Senator Orji Kalu can secure the South-East and attract sympathy votes from the North.
“The Political Future of the North Depends on 2027”

Rendezvous:
But the North overwhelmingly supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023.

Dr. Afiyo:
And what are they experiencing now? If this is the outcome of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, then Allah ya tsine (God forbid) or Allah ya isa (God is the judge) on such an arrangement.

Rendezvous:
Some Northern clerics argue that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was a matter of political convenience.

Dr. Afiyo:
Who is looking for political convenience now? The current political situation demands not convenience but necessity.

Rendezvous:
How so?

Dr. Afiyo:
The political future of the North depends on the 2027 presidency. If we fail to change the current government, as we did in 2015, the North will lose political relevance for the next 50 years. That is why we must set aside religion and ethnicity to support a Southern—preferably an Igbo—president in 2027.
Regardless of whether a Northerner is Hausa, Fulani, Bwatiye, a Bishop, Pastor, or Imam, the South refers to all of us as Mallam. Even in my church, fellow Southern pastors call me Mallam. We must, therefore, act collectively as Mallams to secure our political future. This is why I strongly oppose the posting of religious content on our Northern platforms.
“IBB’s Book Launch, Buhari’s Relocation, and the Formation of LND are Political Signals”

Rendezvous:
You mentioned that your patrons support this coalition. What evidence suggests this?

Dr. Afiyo:
The signs are clear. The launch of IBB’s book and the confessions made during the event were political moves. Buhari’s relocation from Daura to Kaduna is 90% political. Additionally, the formation of the Northern League of Democrats (LND) is a major sign of political restructuring in the North.
“Why We Prefer Dauda Lawal and Ahmadu Fintiri”

Rendezvous:
Why did you choose Dauda Lawal or Ahmadu Fintiri over other Northern politicians?

Dr. Afiyo:
To be honest, Dauda Lawal and Ahmadu Fintiri are courageous, fearless, and, above all, have the fear of God. They believe in justice and equality. Unlike some of their colleagues who play religious politics, these two leaders act with conscience.
Of course, we have people like Mohammed Babandede and Adamu Waziri, but they do not command the influence needed to secure party delegates. However, they can be integrated into the new government structure.
“I Fully Support the Creation of Emirates and Chiefdoms”

Rendezvous:
Are you in support of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s decision to create new Emirates and Chiefdoms in Adamawa?

Dr. Afiyo:
As the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Monarchs, I fully support this move because it promotes development and justice.
However, my only concern is the decision to make Fufore the headquarters of the new emirate instead of Gurin or Malabu. Historically, Gurin was the first headquarters of the Adamawa Emirate before Yola.

Rendezvous:
Critics argue that the present Emir of Fufore has no royal lineage.

Dr. Afiyo:
That argument is baseless. Was Modibbo Adama from a royal family when he received the flag and became an Emir? Which holds more legitimacy—receiving a flag from Uthman Dan Fodio or a staff of office from an elected governor?
In my personal opinion, the headquarters should have been in Gurin instead of Fufore.
Additionally, my village, Gereng, in Girei Local Government, was granted a district. I strongly believe that the true founders of Gereng should be appointed as district heads, rather than those who have hijacked rulership for personal gain. The governor should ensure justice is extended to all affected communities.
“Northern Youths Will Never Support an Obi-El-Rufai Ticket”

Rendezvous:
Does this mean you will not support an Obi-El-Rufai ticket?

Dr. Afiyo:
The entire Northern youth leadership will never support an Obi-El-Rufai ticket. However, we will push for Fintiri or Lawal to be chosen. We plan to engage stakeholders across the 19 Northern states very soon.
“Closing Schools for Ramadan While Boko Haram Kidnaps Children is Hypocrisy”

Rendezvous:
Some Northern states have closed schools for Ramadan. What is your take on this?

Dr. Afiyo:
How can a sane person support such decisions? These states did not shut schools when Boko Haram and bandits were kidnapping children, yet they are closing schools for Ramadan, except Almajiri schools. Are Almajiri children not entitled to Ramadan breaks too?
The irony is, you will never find a Fulani child in an Almajiri school. These schools serve as a means for some clerics to sustain their livelihoods, so they will always support policies that ensure a constant supply of Almajiris.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Muslim countries do not close schools for Ramadan. This decision is an economic strategy that prioritizes the interests of a few at the expense of the future of our children.

Rendezvous:
Thank you for your time, sir.
Dr. Afiyo:
You are welcome.