Northern ex-commissioners back Tinubu’s 2027 re-election

Pledge North’s return to power in 2031

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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

The Forum of Former Commissioners and Special Advisers in the North has declared its support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the North should reciprocate the political support it has received from the South-West over the years.

The forum said its decision was informed by the need to sustain national unity, promote political stability and maintain the tradition of political cooperation between the Northern and Western regions.

In a press statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Gambo Garamba Jada, and National Secretary, Comrade Richard Tersoo Mnenga, the group maintained that supporting Tinubu for a second term would demonstrate the North’s commitment to the Nigerian project.

According to the forum, the 2027 general election presents an opportunity for the North to reaffirm its commitment to national integration by supporting the incumbent president, with the understanding that the presidency would return to the North after his second term.

“The choice of the president, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as our candidate is nothing but a necessary action for many vital reasons,” the statement declared.

To justify its position, the group traced the history of political cooperation between Northern and Western political leaders, beginning with the First Republic.

It recalled that the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) formed an alliance with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) to establish the central government, despite the political differences between the two regions.

The forum noted that prominent Western Nigerian politicians, including Dr Moses Majekodunmi, Chief T.O.S. Benson, Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye, Chief Richard Akinjide and Chief T.O. Elias, served in the Balewa administration following the alliance.

It also cited the alliance between the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) and the NPC ahead of the 1964 general election as another example of political cooperation between the two regions.

Similarly, the forum recalled that, during the Second Republic, prominent politicians from the South-West aligned with the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which produced President Shehu Shagari.

Among those mentioned were Chief Adisa Akinloye, Chief Richard Akinjide, Ayo Adebanjo, Remi Fani-Kayode, MKO Abiola and General Adeyinka Adebayo.

The group further argued that the North demonstrated political reciprocity during the aborted Third Republic by supporting Chief MKO Abiola in the 1993 presidential election against his opponent, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, despite the latter being from Kano State.

It also recalled the North’s support for former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and the subsequent emergence of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor.

The forum identified Tinubu’s role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 as another reason the North should support his political ambition.

It argued that the coalition of opposition parties, particularly the contribution of Tinubu’s former party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), was instrumental to Buhari’s victory.

The statement also credited Tinubu with supporting Buhari’s re-election in 2019, claiming that his political influence helped the former president secure significant votes across the South-West.

According to the forum, the North should now demonstrate a similar gesture by supporting Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“As patriots acting under this formidable platform, we have viewed it as most appropriate to throw our weight behind the president, as reciprocity demands, to secure a second term, after which the presidency will be returned to the North,” it stated.

Beyond political reciprocity, the group expressed optimism that Tinubu’s second term would address some of the economic and developmental challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.

It specifically pointed to the president’s fuel subsidy policy, arguing that the additional funds accruing to state governments could help address infrastructure and other developmental needs if properly utilised.

“It is also our firm belief that the second term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address most of our economic woes in the North,” the statement said.

The forum added that the funds being allocated to states following the removal of fuel subsidy could be channelled towards addressing pressing developmental challenges across the region.

The group also identified several prominent Northern political figures as supporters of the campaign for Tinubu’s re-election.

Among those mentioned were Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, whom the forum described as the Director-General of the movement; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Others listed include former Jigawa State Governor and immediate past Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; the President’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari; former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari; and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The forum said the decision of these political leaders to support Tinubu’s re-election influenced its resolve to establish a platform that would mobilise support for the president across Northern Nigeria.

It described the leaders as experienced public office holders whose political positions had encouraged the group to identify with the re-election project.

The forum called on other influential Northern politicians and stakeholders to publicly declare their support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

It urged Northern leaders to embrace the political philosophy of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, particularly his vision of “One North in the context of One Nigeria”.

The statement maintained that supporting Tinubu in 2027 and subsequently backing a Northern successor would help balance the country’s political equation and strengthen national unity.

“This will not only balance the political equation in the country but will portray us as a people who are united in solidarity with the project ‘One Nigeria’,” the group stated.

The forum reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s unity, peace and progress, insisting that its position was guided by historical political relationships and the need to sustain mutual cooperation among the country’s regions.