SABMF warns against politicisation of Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa’s legacies

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has cautioned individuals and groups against dragging the names of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa into partisan political disputes.

The Foundation expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend by some political actors and their supporters to disparage the legacies of the two nationalist leaders for political advantage.

In a statement issued by its Director-General, Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, the Foundation said the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as well as Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, were national icons whose contributions to the country’s development remained part of Nigeria’s documented history.

According to him, the two leaders paid the ultimate price in service to the unity, progress and development of Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.

He noted that their records of public service and achievements in office placed them above contemporary political comparisons and manipulations.

“SABMF will not take lightly any attempt to drag their names into partisan squabbles or to soil their images for transient political gain,” the statement said.

He warned those seeking to foment discord in Northern Nigeria through attacks on the reputations of the late leaders and their associates to desist.

He then stressed that the legacies of Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa belonged to all Nigerians and should not be used as tools for political point-scoring.

The foundation also pledged to take necessary measures to protect and preserve the integrity, honour and historical contributions of the nation’s founding fathers.

It urged political actors to promote constructive engagement and national unity rather than resorting to actions capable of undermining the memories of respected national figures.