2027: Umar Dangiwa Warns Tinubu Against ‘New Prophets’, Sycophants Like Akpabio
…Accepts National Honour on Behalf of Fellow June 12 Patriots
Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to steer clear of “self-serving prophets and sycophants” who inundate him with unrealistic predictions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Umar, a prominent pro-democracy advocate, gave the advice in a statement issued to acknowledge his recent conferment with the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by the Tinubu administration.
While accepting the award, Umar noted that he did so on behalf of 38 fellow military officers and men who, alongside him, championed the June 12 democratic struggle, describing them as the “unsung heroes” of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“I therefore accept this award with all sense of humility on behalf of all these officers and men,” he said. “This award will be doubly more meaningful if the democracy we all fought for delivers real dividends.”
He stressed that the ultimate validation of their sacrifices would be for Nigeria’s democratic system to produce accountable, God-fearing leadership committed to good governance, not political vanity.
Umar criticized the growing culture of sycophancy among political elites, stating it poses a grave threat to meaningful governance. He particularly condemned the rising trend of naming public infrastructure after sitting Presidents or Governors as a symptom of dangerous flattery.
“Mr President must lead in a war against sycophancy in all its forms,” he declared. “There should be no exceptions.”
He also took a swipe at Senate President Godswill Akpabio for declaring that President Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election with 99.9% of the vote — a statement Umar derided as emblematic of the unchecked praise-singing that weakens democratic institutions.
“Even allowing for the fact that this Senate President is widely known for his humorous incitement,” Umar said, “Mr President will do well to shun such oracles.”
Calling for stronger checks and balances, Umar advocated for genuine independence among the three arms of government, warning that personal ambition and the politics of flattery must not derail Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
