A breakaway faction of the Katsina Elders Forum, led by retired Justice Sadiq Abdullahi Mahuta (Galadiman Katsina), has disassociated itself from calls urging Katsina residents to boycott President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections over the detention of former NHIS Executive Secretary, Professor Usman Yusuf.

Speaking to journalists at his residence in Katsina, Justice Mahuta clarified that while the forum had expressed concerns about Yusuf’s detention, it had not issued any political directive or endorsed any anti-Tinubu stance. He emphasized that such calls did not represent the official position of the Katsina Elders Forum.

He said: ”The major issue that led to the press conference was the arrest and detention of Professor Usman Yusuf. The forum felt it was our duty to call for justice, either by arraigning him before a court of law or releasing him. I have learned that he has now been released,” 

”However, we firmly reject claims that the elders had urged voters to reject Tinubu in 2027.

“This is not an elders’ language. It is not our position. We completely dissociate the Katsina Elders Forum from this statement,” he declared.  

Mahuta also said that he had consulted other senior members of the forum, including veteran labour leader and other respected figures, some of whom supported his position, while others remained non-committal.  

The Nation gathered that the clarification comes amid polipolitical maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.