North backs Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has come out in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing his administration’s efforts in improving security, education, and infrastructure in the North and the entire country.

Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, made this known in a statement, emphasising that the North has no reason not to support Tinubu’s re-election.

This development comes on the heels of a recent summit in Kaduna, where Northern leaders gathered to assess Tinubu’s performance in office.

While some leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of insecurity and poverty, others applauded Tinubu’s initiatives, including infrastructure projects and appointments of Northerners into strategic positions.

“Therefore, Arewa Think Tank wants to call on the people of the North to rally round Mr President and re-elect him in 2027 for more infrastructural developments to come to the region.

“We must tell ourselves the bitter truth that, as it is now, the North does not need political power for now, but infrastructural and human development, which President Tinubu has continuously been pushing to our people in the North.

“Our candid advice to Northern leaders is that they should stop playing the blame game and instead focus on longstanding regional neglect, which Tinubu has come to repair.

“We must be honest; Tinubu didn’t create the insecurity or poverty in the North. The rot started long before him, and we are forced to ask, where were those loud voices now blaming him when the North was neglected and abandoned by its leaders who were at the helm of affairs of this country?

“We must commend Tinubu’s administration for its efforts in improving security, education, and infrastructure in the North.

“We are not running away from the fact that there is economic hardship, but we want to affirm that some visible strides have been made in key areas, including infrastructure and security.

“We want to applaud President Tinubu once again over the introduction of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has highlighted projects like the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway and Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line that are transforming the North.

“It is very clear and visible that significant progress has been made in eliminating bandit kingpins and terrorist commanders in the Northern region.

“Among other infrastructures brought to the North by Tinubu’s administration, there are also empowerment programmes that targeted grants and initiatives to tackle the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis.

“There is no doubt that Tinubu’s administration has shown commitment to the Northern region’s development. So as the 2027 elections approach, the North should rally behind his re-election bid.

“We want to commend the management of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for organising a significant two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement, which was held in Arewa House, Kaduna.

“We are particularly grateful to the Federal Government for graciously participating in this programme, as well as the elder statesmen, stakeholders, and representatives from various Northern groups, organisations, and institutions whose presence underscores the importance of the gathering.

“We are confident that every deliberation at the event would yield actionable insights and strengthen the partnership between government and citizens for the advancement of our region and country in general,” the statement said.