‘We Are Not Afraid of You, Tinubu’: Jerry Gana Urges President to Be Statesman, Not Politician Desperate to Grab Power

‘We Are Not Afraid of You, Tinubu’: Jerry Gana Urges President to Be Statesman, Not Politician Desperate to Grab Power

Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to rise above partisan politics and demonstrate genuine statesmanship, warning that the pursuit of political power must never come at the expense of Nigeria's unity, peace and stability.

Gana, who spoke on Sunday, November 8, 2026, during a press conference organised by the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, in Abuja, said the President must recognise that his constitutional responsibilities extend beyond protecting the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a pointed appeal to Tinubu, the former minister insisted that the President must act as the father of the nation, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, rather than allowing partisan political calculations to determine his response to developments threatening national stability.

“Mr Chairman is appealing to the President to be a statesman at this point in time, not just purely a politician to grab power and move,” Gana declared.

He questioned the value of acquiring political power in a country destabilised by political hostility, insecurity and division.

“If you grab power and Nigeria is in crisis, what do you benefit?” he asked.

Gana maintained that the President had a responsibility to protect the country's health, security, integrity, stability and the general welfare of its citizens, regardless of political affiliations.

The former minister also dismissed any suggestion that the PDP's appeal was motivated by fear of the ruling party.

“This is why we are appealing, not because we are afraid,” he said.

In a particularly significant warning, Gana acknowledged that the opposition had the political experience and capacity to respond to confrontation but cautioned against allowing political disagreements to degenerate into violence.

“We are a legacy party, we know the game very, very well. If you wanted to go and say you want to promote violence and we wanted to answer by violence, it can be done. But we don't want to do that, because it's not good for Nigeria,” he stated.

His remarks came amid growing political tension and accusations by opposition leaders that the country's democratic space is under pressure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Earlier at the same press conference, Turaki accused elements within the ruling political establishment of encouraging political intimidation, violence and actions capable of weakening opposition parties.

He urged Tinubu to publicly condemn political violence and ensure that security agencies protect opposition politicians, supporters and campaign activities.

Turaki also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties and ensure that the electoral process remains credible and impartial.

The PDP leader warned that political ambition must not be allowed to threaten the survival of the Nigerian state, stressing that Nigeria's continued existence is more important than the ambitions of any individual seeking public office.

Gana's intervention adds a significant voice to the growing debate over political tolerance, democratic competition and the responsibilities of the presidency as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

The central message from the former information minister is clear: presidential leadership must be measured not merely by the ability to retain political power but by the capacity to protect national unity, preserve democratic institutions and guarantee the safety of citizens, including those who support opposing political parties.

For a country already grappling with insecurity, economic hardship and deep political divisions, the cost of irresponsible political rivalry could be far greater than the ambitions of those seeking to control its highest office.

THE ANALYST

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