Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Ghalli Na’Abba, has received knocks from supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari over his position that northerners are opposed to zoning of the presidency because they have not benefitted from the Buhari’s administration.

The President’s supporters described Na’Abba’s utterances as irresponsible, unpatriotic and undignified of a political leader.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, said it is highly disappointing that a former number four citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would “descend so low to be fanning the embers of hatred and division, all in an attempt to score cheap political points when well-meaning Nigerians are yearning for peace, stability and unity in the country.”

BMO added: “We consider Ghali Na’Abba’s claim as unfounded, insulting and totally unacceptable to the good people of northern Nigeria. There is no doubt that the former speaker was speaking for himself as he did not consult any leader or group of leaders from the North before coming out with his undignified statement. To this end, he cannot claim to be speaking for the people of the North.

“We wish to remind Ghali Na’Abba that the majority of well-meaning northern leaders from all walks of life are highly appreciative of the good work of President Buhari in the region and his various developmental projects that have been going on in other parts of the country over the last six years. All these render Ghali Na’Abba’s claims baseless.”

The group also debunked the former speaker’s claim that the President has been running the country without consultation, as there is no iota of evidence to support this claim.

“In fact, evidence abound that his administration has been employing the best and capable hands across the various sectors of the economy from different parts of the country in managing the country.

“We make bold to say that the government of President Buhari has remained committed to addressing the various concerns of Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones of the country and that no part of the country has been denied its fair share in developmental projects.”

Na’Abba had in an interview with Daily Trust described the government of Buhari as a waste tenure for the North.

As such, the former speaker said power should remain in the North as the tenure of President Buhari does not represents northern interest.

“Within the North today, the idea of many people that the presidency must shift to another region is not a welcome idea because the feeling of many people is that the years of this president is a waste. They’ve not gained anything from it. So, why should anybody even talk to them about zoning? When they believe they have the numerical strength to elect another person,” he said.