More Northern leaders have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring that he has the region’s backing to continue in office until 2031.
This reassurance comes despite recent concerns raised by some Northern politicians, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, regarding Tinubu’s electoral chances in 2027.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, dismissed remarks by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Babachir Lawal, who had expressed doubts about Tinubu’s 2027 prospects in the North.
In a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, Matawalle praised Tinubu’s performance, highlighting his reforms across all regions of Nigeria.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been in office for just 19 months, has made significant contributions to all regions of Nigeria, including the North,” the statement reads.
“The people of the North will rally behind Mr President to build upon the achievements and reforms he has initiated.”
The minister listed the administration’s accomplishments, particularly in security, economic development, and infrastructure.
According to him, Nigerian security forces neutralized over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, arrested 11,600 criminals, and recovered more than 10,000 weapons in 2024 alone.
He also highlighted the rescue of approximately 8,000 kidnap victims and the creation of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) in collaboration with the UK’s National Crime Agency as key security successes.
Matawalle pointed to the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a major economic policy benefiting the North, stating: “This initiative is expected to promote economic growth, empower millions—especially women and youths—and contribute to food security. The recent decline in grain prices nationwide underscores the effectiveness of these policies.”
Infrastructure development has also been a focus of Tinubu’s administration, with increased investments in road construction and transportation networks.
The introduction of local government autonomy, Matawalle added, has further strengthened grassroots governance and accountability.
Dismissing Lawal’s criticisms as divisive, he urged objective assessment of the government’s record.
“The cries of dissent should not overshadow the tangible progress being made,” he said, reaffirming the North’s unwavering support for Tinubu’s leadership.
“Our support for President Tinubu is unwavering and unshakeable. We stand firmly behind his vision for a prosperous and secure Nigeria,” Matawalle added.
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT), a Northern socio-political group, also endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that the region remains united behind the President.
In a statement issued by Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the Chief Convener of ATT, the group dismissed claims of division within the North and declared that there would be “no vacancy in Aso Rock” until 2031.
“If Northern people are divided against President Tinubu, they are doing so at their own peril because their own son was in power for eight years without any meaningful impact in the region. So how wise is it to displace the leader that is walking the talk and giving them hope for a better tomorrow?” the statement read.
Yakubu commended Tinubu’s governance approach, stating that his administration is focused on rescuing Nigeria from economic hardship and revitalizing key sectors.
“Our able President Tinubu is really sacrificing his popularity to help our nation from collapsing. He has refused to adopt a divide-and-share style of leadership, choosing instead to revamp our economy and rebuild our industries, agencies, and even our international reputation,” Yakubu said.
He aligned ATT’s position with that of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which recently reaffirmed its non-partisan stance. According to him, the North has always played a stabilizing role in Nigerian politics and will continue to do so.
“It is our position that the North is not divided; it’s Tinubu all the way till 2031 because the North is always the political stabilizer of Nigeria. Why would anyone start to think of power-grabbing barely one year and some months into Tinubu’s tenure, when the President is boldly sacrificing his political popularity to rescue the country from economic bankruptcy?” he asked.
Yakubu warned against opposition efforts to undermine Tinubu’s administration, arguing that such actions are motivated by personal interests rather than national progress.
He reiterated the North’s commitment to supporting Tinubu’s policies, adding: “In this wise, we can bet you that this commitment extends to supporting President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) appears split on its approach to the 2027 presidential election, particularly regarding the prospect of an Igbo presidency.
Former LP National Treasurer Oluchi Oparah criticized National Chairman Julius Abure’s remarks, which suggested that Ndigbo should secure the presidency through ethnic solidarity.
Oparah rejected this stance, arguing that the presidency must be attained through merit rather than tribal sentiment.
“The notion that Ndigbo can only achieve the presidency by exploiting tribal and regional sentiments is not only misguided but also detrimental to our collective progress as a nation,” she stated.
Her remarks followed Abure’s speech at a South-East Labour Party rally in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting an Igbo presidency in 2027.
He noted that LP zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East to “wipe the tears” of the region and called for greater political alignment among Igbo leaders.
“We decided to wipe the tears of the Igbo, and we did so powerfully and courageously in 2023. We have no regrets about our decision,” Abure said.
Oparah, however, argued that Peter Obi’s success in 2023 proved that an Igbo candidate could gain nationwide support based on competence and vision.
“Obi’s success was not built on ethnic sentiment but on his impressive credentials and performance record, which still speak for him today. If not for certain electoral irregularities, he could have secured the seat for the betterment of all Nigerians,” she said.
She criticized Abure’s ethnic-based approach as counterproductive, stating: “Rather than promoting an ethnic-based campaign strategy, Ndigbo must focus on building a coalition of support across different ethnic and political groups. The presidency of Nigeria should be won based on competence, vision, and leadership, not sentiment.”
At the Abuja rally, Abure stressed that while the LP remains a viable platform for Igbo presidential aspirations, South-East leaders must learn from other regions’ political strategies.
“The Igbo need more realignment with other sections of the country. The Yoruba once faced similar struggles but achieved their goal through strategic alliances. The same lesson applies here,” he said.
He urged political actors from the region to speak with one voice to enhance their chances in 2027.
As the 2027 elections approach, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appointed Tanimu Tahir as his Special Assistant on Youth Engagement and Strategy.
Tahir, a youth development and strategic communications specialist from Borno State, previously served as Special Assistant on Radio Affairs under Governor Babagana Zulum.
In a statement announcing his appointment, Atiku emphasized his commitment to prioritizing youth inclusion in national politics.
“Tanimu’s appointment signals a renewed focus on ensuring that the aspirations, challenges, and innovative contributions of young Nigerians are not only acknowledged but actively integrated into the national conversation,” the statement reads.
Tahir will lead Atiku’s youth engagement strategy, overseeing digital outreach, grassroots activism, and public relations efforts to mobilize young voters for the 2027 campaign.
His responsibilities will also include crafting narratives that highlight Atiku’s vision for youth-driven national development.
“Tanimu will craft compelling narratives, coordinate media outreach, and launch dynamic social media campaigns to ensure the campaign’s messaging resonates with young voters and inspires active participation in shaping the country’s future,” the statement concluded.
