By: Joy Musa
A youth coalition known as Concern Zhaar Youth has vehemently rejected the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a group of individuals claiming to be the Zhaar Council of Elders. The youth group described the move as a “historical abomination,” asserting that such political endorsements have never been part of Zhaar land’s tradition.
Loading ...According to Comrade Steven Dinki, leader of Concern Zhaar Youth, the so-called endorsement was orchestrated by loyalists of former Speaker Yakubu Dogara. Dinki alleged that the elders were misled into believing that President Tinubu had been told Dogara lacked grassroots support in Zhaar land. To counter this narrative, Dogara’s allies reportedly mobilized the elders under false pretenses including a fabricated claim that Tinubu would send a delegation to meet them in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
“They used that lie to gather the elders and stage a political show to deceive Tinubu into thinking Dogara still commands influence here,” Dinki said. “It was a cheap political stunt.”
The youth group further claimed that stipends were paid to organizers to stage the event and falsely present it as a community-wide endorsement. They warned the elders against being used as pawns in political schemes, emphasizing that Zhaar land remains united and does not follow Dogara’s political dictates.
The group criticized Dogara for failing to fulfill key promises, including the restoration of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government headquarters and lobbying for the actualization of the Sayawa Chiefdom a goal now being pursued by Governor Bala Mohammed. They accused Dogara of prioritizing personal political ambitions over the welfare of his people.
Mr. Jonathan Taimako, another prominent youth voice, dismissed the endorsement as “dead on arrival,” arguing that it was a desperate attempt to revive Dogara’s dwindling relevance. “Bogoro LGA is a stronghold of the PDP. Even Dogara knows this,” he said.
Concern Zhaar Youth urged community elders to uphold the integrity of Zhaar traditions and resist manipulation. “We must not allow our heritage to be traded for political gain,” Dinki concluded.
This development adds to growing tensions in northern Nigeria, where various youth and stakeholder groups have recently rejected political endorsements seen as unrepresentative or manipulative ahead of 2027.
