Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship by placing Nigeria’s unity, peace and stability above partisan political interests.

Gana made the appeal on Sunday in Abuja at a press conference organised by Kabiru Turaki, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He urged Tinubu to recognise that his responsibilities as president go beyond leading the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the nation's highest office requires him to protect the interests of all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations.

According to the former minister, the president must resist any political action capable of threatening the country's stability, even if it offers an advantage to his party.

Gana argued that the Nigerian Constitution places critical responsibilities on the president, including safeguarding national security, maintaining stability and ensuring the welfare of citizens.

Supporting Turaki's appeal to the president, he said, “Mr chairman, I just wanted to take this opportunity to support your appeal. This intervention is just to support your position in appealing to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by emphasising that the framers of our constitution assigned to the president of the nation three important assignments.”

He further urged Tinubu to rise above partisan considerations and embrace the responsibilities of a national leader.

“And therefore, 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 said.

Questioning the value of political power amid national instability, the former minister warned that no political ambition should be pursued at the expense of the country's survival.

“If you grab power and Nigeria is in crisis, what do you benefit? It’s extremely important that the health, security, integrity, stability, and goodness of the Nigerian people are maintained. This is why we are appealing, not because we are afraid,” he added.

Gana also reminded the president of his responsibilities as head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, emphasising the need for leadership that protects the country's overall interests.

His remarks followed Turaki's concerns over alleged statements by members of the APC capable of promoting political violence and intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Turaki warned that Nigeria's political atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, urging political leaders to exercise restraint and ensure that their ambitions did not undermine national peace.

“Nigeria is bigger than anybody and the ambition of any individual. We must appreciate that this country must survive for you to become whatever you want to become,” he said.

The PDP factional chairman further cautioned that a major political crisis in Nigeria, with an estimated population of 250 million, could trigger a humanitarian emergency with serious consequences.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a fair and transparent electoral environment where all political parties could participate without intimidation.

Turaki insisted that intimidation, killings, attacks and blackmail could not guarantee genuine electoral victory, calling for responsible political conduct and respect for democratic principles.