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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu is the Chief Convener of Arewa Think Tank (ATT), a socio-cultural organisation for the promotion of Northern interests in particular, and Nigeria in general.
In this interview with our Correspondent, Yakubu said the people of the North have no reason not to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu because he brought infrastructural development to the region under two years of his administration.
The ATT Convener also spoke on other national issues.
Excerpts:
What is your impression about the meeting of President Tinubu’s appointees of Northern extraction organised recently by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation which was held at Arewa House, Kaduna?
I was pleased to see President Tinubu’s appointees from the North come together to discuss progress and challenges. The meeting demonstrates unity and a shared commitment to the president’s policies, which is essential for the development of our region and the country as a whole. The gathering also showcases the administration’s efforts to engage with stakeholders and foster collaboration. As the Convener of Arewa Think Tank, I believe such meetings can help build consensus and drive progress in our region.
However, I must say that I was disappointed with the opposition voices which expressed concern about President Tinubu’s policies and their alleged negative impact on the North. Some of them accused President Tinubu of neglecting and sidelining the North despite the region’s massive support for Tinubu in the 2023 elections. But going forward, I want to advise the opposition to be cautious in their criticism of President Tinubu. While they have the right to express their concerns and opinions, I want to suggest that they should do so in a constructive and respectful manner. Oppositions’ criticism of President Tinubu’s policies and administration should be based on facts and evidence, rather than emotions or biases. And I also want to encourage them to offer alternative solutions and suggestions for improvement, rather than simply criticising the government. They may lose their integrity in the eyes of Nigerians if they do not engage in respectful dialogue with the government, but resorting to personal attacks or inflammatory rhetoric is not the best way to go as opposition parties.
Is the Arewa Think Tank going to play any role in President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027?
Our organisation, Arewa Think Tank has declared its support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, this is because, among other things, his administration’s efforts in improving security, education, and infrastructure in the North and the entire country. We believe President Tinubu’s policies have shown positive impacts on our region, and his re-election would enable him to build on these achievements. Our organisation will continue to engage with stakeholders, promote good governance, and advocate for policies that will benefit Nigeria and our people in the North. As I speak to you, we have line up of activities by engaging with stakeholders, promoting good governance, and advocating for policies that benefit Nigeria. Our organisation believes President Tinubu’s administration has shown commitment to the development of our region, and we’ll support policies that drive progress. We’ll continue to monitor his performance and provide feedback to ensure he delivers on his promises. And I want to use this opportunity to once again appeal to Nigerians to continue to be patient with Mr. President because at the end of the day, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Nothing good comes easy. The people will soon enjoy the dividends of democracy under President Tinubu.
Can you give more reasons why Tinubu should be re-elected President in 2027?
Yes, I can. Thank you very much for this question. Tinubu has been President for only two years, but there are many achievements he has made under these two years in office. He has been able to add $67 billion to Nigeria’s GDP, moving us from a ₦269.29 trillion economy on May 29, 2023, when he became President, to ₦372.8 trillion today. He has also fixed our broken and unfair tax system, as well as delivered a 3.84percent quarterly GDP growth in 2024. Our best economy in a decade, according to CNN. MR. President has stabilised our economy, and this fact was reaffirmed by Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Tinubu has moved Nigeria from being Africa’s number one fuel importer to being West Africa’s top fuel exporter. He has signed the New Minimum Wage Bill, which passed, and now pays federal workers a ₦70,000 minimum wage. So, the state civil servants, should please hold their governors, and not the president. He has fixed our federal system by ensuring true federalism through Local Government autonomy. He has fixed our Naira by floating it, and ending the previous practice of subsidising the Naira with $1.5 billion monthly. He has started two roads that will cut across Nigeria, including the 1068-kilometre Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The President has reduced our debt from $113.7 billion, which he inherited from General Buhari, to $97 billion today. I can go on and on.
Also, President Tinubu has doubled federal allocation to the states from what they were under Buhari. He has sent almost 1 million indigent Nigerians to universities through his Student Loan initiative. He kept his promise that a four-year university course would be four years, because he will ensure that ASUU does not go on strike. He has improved the ranking of Nigeria’s passport on the Henley Passport Index to 88th best in the world as of July 18, 2025, a rise from 92nd in July 2024. He has ended passport scarcity. I can also tell you that Mr. President has upgraded Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to become the most modern airport in Sub-Saharan Africa. From the moment your plane lands to the moment you leave the airport, you do not need human contact. Everything is electronic. He is currently improving the power situation in Abuja by building the NNPCL 1350 Megawatt Gwagwalada independent power plant, at $2 billion or ₦3.2 trillion. He has achieved a record-breaking trade surplus of $14.31 billion in 2024, the absolute highest in our history. Total exports were $38.93 billion, while imports were $24.62 billion. This is set to improve this 2025 with the Nigeria First policy launched by the president this year. He has achieved peaceful Executive-Legislative and Judicial relations throughout the subsistence of this administration. President Tinubu has displayed zero tolerance for even perceptions of corruption by immediately suspending a minister, pending investigations, when corruption allegations arose. He has increased our net foreign reserves to $40.1 billion. Nigerians would do well to remember that, contrary to what the Central Bank of Nigeria was telling them under Buhari, JP Morgan exposed that Buhari actually left Nigeria with a net $3.7 billion, rather than the $14 billion they claimed in public. Now, my brother, if President Tinubu could achieve all these and more in just two years, then imagine what he would accomplish for Nigeria as well as for you and your family, if you re-elect him and give him four more years in 2027. I think it is high time Nigerians do away with sentiments and allow Tinubu to give Nigerians dividends of democracy they deserve as citizens of our dear country, Nigeria.
No doubt , there is division among Northerners about President Tinubu’s re-election. What is your reaction?
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While there may be diverse opinions among Northerners about President Tinubu’s re-election, we at Arewa Think Tank believe that the North has no reason not to support him. His administration has made significant strides in security, infrastructure, and social development across the region. We urge Northerners to put aside sentiments and support policies that benefit our region and the country.
Majority of Northerners are complaining of marginalisation under Tinubu’s government, and you are saying they have no reason not to support his re-election?
While some Northerners may feel marginalised, we at Arewa Think Tank believe that President Tinubu’s administration has shown commitment to the development of our region. We’ve seen efforts to improve infrastructure, security, and social welfare in the North. Some of his notable initiatives include provision of relief materials, food, and other essentials to affected communities in the North. There is empowerment of over 25,000 Nigerians with vocational skills in Adamawa as well as establishment of six new Regional Development Commissions to spur growth in the underdeveloped regions of the North. I therefore urge Northerners to put aside sentiments and support policies that benefit our region and the country as a whole. President Tinubu’s re-election bid is built on his administration’s achievements, and we believe he deserves another chance to drive progress in Nigeria.
You were reported to have said in an interview recently that “even the blind can see Tinubu’s achievements”. How do you mean?
When I said ‘even the blind can see Tinubu’s achievements,’ I meant that the progress made by President Tinubu’s administration is glaringly obvious and undeniable. The achievements are multifaceted, ranging from economic reforms to infrastructure development and social welfare programmes. Some notable examples include the fact that
Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.4 percent in 2024, with a record trade surplus of $14.31 billion. Over 440 ongoing road projects nationwide, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Express Way. There is payment of backlog debt of Npower Beneficiaries, with 360,000 Nigerian youths benefiting from the debt clearance. In the area of insecurity, there is neutralisation of notorious bandit kingpins, resulting in a marked decrease in incidents of insecurity across the country. So these achievements demonstrate the administration’s commitment to driving progress and development in Nigeria.
There is a general believe that the socioeconomic challenges being faced by the people may affect Tinubu’s re-election. What’s your take?
These challenges are significant, and the government should prioritise addressing hunger, insecurity, and other socioeconomic issues to improve citizens’ lives. We believe President Tinubu’s administration is taking steps to address these challenges, and we urge him to continue prioritising the welfare of Nigerians. On the other hand, President Tinubu’s achievements will likely influence his re-election prospects.
Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has attacked Tinubu for visiting Brazil and other nations at this critical time. What is your reaction?
Let me remind Nigerians, especially those highly placed, not to forget that both Brazil and Nigeria once stood at similar economic starting points, yet Brazil has since moved ahead of us through investment in agriculture, technology, and innovation. So, it was in order that President Tinubu visited Brazil so that he could under study what magic the country used to surge ahead of us in many areas of development. Interestingly, some Nigerians, especially the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has expressed optimism about the Brazilian trip, and what Nigeria now tends to gain. For instance, Governor Uba Sani said Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil could unlock over 30 billion dollars in investments across key sectors of Nigeria’s economy. It is also worthy of note that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the two countries during the visit, particularly in agriculture, aviation, and science and technology, could significantly transform Nigeria’s economic landscape.
I equally learnt that there was new agreements in diplomacy, innovation, and renewable energy, calling them crucial sectors previously overlooked but now receiving attention under Tinubu’s leadership. As usual I want to urge Nigerians to support the administration’s economic agenda aimed at long-term growth and national development because whatever socioeconomic hardship we are going through is a short term which we shall soon overcome for the betterment of the citizenry.
Can you use the outcome of the recent federal and state constituencies by-elections to arrive at permutation for APC’s performance in 2027 election?
By-elections provide insight into electoral trends, but the 2027 general elections will have different dynamics. Various factors will influence outcomes, and we urge all stakeholders to prioritise good governance and policies that will benefit the country and its people. Above all, when we get to the bridge, we know how to cross it.
