Former Kaduna Governor and elder statesman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has urged political leaders and public office holders across Nigeria to close ranks and work together to address the challenges confronting Nigeria.
Makarfi made the call in a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday while thanking Nigerians who celebrated with him on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.
The former governor, who also served as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, said the country’s challenges could be overcome if political leaders demonstrated the necessary will and commitment.
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“I want to seize this moment, as I’ve always done, to appeal to all of us to come together, close ranks and confront the myriad of problems bedevilling our country.
“They’re not insurmountable as long as the spirit and the will are there. And I believe they are,” he said.
Makarfi also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and other political, traditional and religious leaders who sent him congratulatory messages on his 70th birthday.
He described attaining the age of 70 on August 8, 2026, as a privilege and an Allah-given blessing, saying he was overwhelmed by the volume of goodwill messages he received.
“It’s no doubt a privilege worthy of appreciation to attain the age of three scores and ten on August 8, 2026; but I personally didn’t bargain for the deluge of goodwill messages that have continued to come my way, congratulating me for this Allah-given attainment,” he said.
Makarfi said his attempts to respond individually to the thousands of messages had become difficult because of their volume.
“I take this opportunity therefore to convey my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the multitude of well-wishers across all divides who have, in their various ways, shared the momentous day with me,” he said.
He particularly expressed gratitude to Allah for enabling him to attain the milestone and for other blessings in his life.
The former senator also thanked President Tinubu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; members of the Northern Senators’ Forum; members of the National Assembly; former governors; and the 1999 set of governors.
He also appreciated the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, other traditional rulers within and outside Kaduna State, leaders of various political parties, political leaders and candidates across party lines, religious leaders, friends and well-wishers.
Makarfi said the goodwill messages, many of which described him in glowing terms, had humbled him and would encourage him to continue contributing to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
“I want to say that the various messages, many of which described me in superlatives that made me wonder as to who the references are, have humbled me but at the same time will serve as a tonic that gingers me to continue to give my best to support the unity, peace and progress of our country and its people,” he said.
He reiterated his appeal for unity among political leaders and Nigerians, urging them to put aside differences and focus on finding solutions to the country’s challenges.