By – Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. President Tinubu will have spent two years in office by May 29, 2025. Political activities appear to be starting early ahead of the 2027 elections, marked by the recent endorsement of Tinubu by North West governors and other regional stakeholders.
The declaration was made in Kaduna during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting was attended by the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, governors from APC-controlled states including Uba Sani of Kaduna, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, as well as Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ministers from the zone, and other stakeholders.
Tinubu’s Endorsement Ahead of 2027
The endorsement was cemented when Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin posed a question to the gathering: “Aso Rock?” The crowd responded unanimously, “No vacancy!”
Barau expressed confidence in a landslide victory for Tinubu in 2027 and urged stakeholders to maintain unity and support for the President.
He attributed recent defections from opposition parties to the APC to Tinubu’s impactful policies, which he claimed have addressed security and economic challenges across the nation, particularly in the North West.
“Before this administration, places like Birnin Gwari were inaccessible due to insecurity. Now, people have returned to their farmlands, and movement has resumed. We are not yet where we want to be, but it’s a work in progress. Solving problems is not easy, but the President is committed to it,” Barau added.
Ganduje Praises Tinubu’s Commitment
National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, praised President Tinubu’s dedication to the North West and the entire northern region, citing intervention projects in infrastructure, agriculture, and social development.
Establishment of the North West Development Commission
Ganduje emphasized that the establishment of the North West Development Commission is proof of Tinubu’s love for the region.
“We have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027,” Ganduje declared.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who moved the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement, pointed to the defections of opposition stalwarts as evidence of growing confidence in the President and the party.
“We must strengthen grassroots mobilization and involve more youth and women, as they are a significant part of our population,” Abbas urged.
He also emphasized the National Assembly’s commitment to legislation supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on infrastructure development, security reforms, and the digital economy.
Passing the Vote of Confidence
The host governor, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, invited Speaker Abbas and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin to move for a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, which was seconded by Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State and affirmed by a voice vote.
In a communiqué read by APC North West Coordinating Governor, Senator Uba Sani, the zone reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and pledged full support for President Tinubu’s vision of prosperity, equity, and lasting change.
“We commend President Tinubu for his purposeful leadership, bold reforms, and unwavering commitment to progress, particularly in the North West. Security has improved, allowing farmers to return to their fields and communities to regain peace and stability,” the communiqué stated.
The statement also highlighted the zone’s federal representation with 12 ministers, key National Assembly positions, and top security appointments—marking what they described as an unprecedented era of development.
The sub-region comprises Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Zamfara States. The party controls five out of the seven states.
Kano is currently governed by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), while Zamfara is under the control of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Critics Say Endorsement Is Controversial and Distracting
Political observers have described this development as controversial and a distraction from the real issues affecting the region.
Tinubu Doesn’t Deserve a Second Term – ADC Chairman
African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, stated that President Bola Tinubu does not deserve a second term. He made this statement in response to the APC North West stakeholders’ endorsement during a recent interview with Daily Trust.
He claimed that if the President were to be rated in terms of performance, he might score only 10%—or even be rated negatively.
Nwosu added that it is the opposition that is currently giving Nigerians hope, arguing that if left to the APC, many Nigerians would die of hunger.
“As an opposition leader, and even as a Nigerian, I can say the President does not deserve a second term. There is no ordinary Nigerian who would rate this government above 10%. If he is to be rated, it would be in the negative,” he said.
He asserted that the President can only seek re-election if he delivers on his campaign promises, stops suppressing the opposition, and respects the rights of the citizens.
It’s the Duty of Nigerians to Decide – NNPP
The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said internal party endorsements carry little weight in assessing a government’s performance.
“What matters is how the government addresses the problems bedeviling the country—by turning bad to good—not endorsements from people who are part of the same administration,” he stated.
He added that those making the endorsement are part and parcel of the administration’s underperformance.
Tinubu Endorsement: Heartless and a Betrayal of the People’s Pain
Arewa Voters Forum, a northern Nigeria-based pressure group, described the APC North West stakeholders’ endorsement of Tinubu as heartless and a betrayal of the people’s suffering.
In a press statement signed by the Forum’s North West Coordinator, Comrade Idrith Ibrahim Unguwar Gini, the group expressed strong condemnation over the endorsement.
“At a time when the North West is mourning thousands of innocent lives lost to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, this political jamboree is nothing short of a callous insult to the dead and suffering. Instead of confronting the harsh realities our people face, our so-called leaders chose premature political theatrics that reek of insensitivity and detachment from the people they claim to serve,” the statement read.
The Region Is Characterized by Poverty, Insecurity, and Broken Infrastructure
“We are shocked that governors of states ravaged by poverty, insecurity, and collapsed infrastructure could gather to endorse a second-term bid while rural communities remain in darkness, children are out of school, and hospitals are in decay. What kind of leadership chooses pageantry over purpose?”
The group said any conscientious leader would have used the event to unveil a development blueprint, mobilize solutions to insecurity, and rally resources for infrastructure and education. Instead, what was witnessed, they claimed, was a circus of self-praise and blind ambition.
The Endorsement Contradicts the Electoral Act
The Forum argued that the endorsement, made two years before the election, appears to violate the Electoral Act, amounting to a veiled campaign. They described it as political bullying, voter manipulation, and an attempt to stifle democratic processes.
“We categorically reject this endorsement as a betrayal of trust and a mockery of the suffering masses. It does not reflect the hopes and aspirations of the millions in the North West still waiting for meaningful governance.”
Votes as Weapons
The group called on voters to “open their eyes” and reject failed leadership at the ballot box.
“Use your vote as a weapon against failed leadership. Cast away those who have turned their backs on your pain for personal political gain.”
The Arewa Voters Forum vowed to continue acting as the voice of the voiceless and to hold all political actors accountable, regardless of party affiliation.
“We are watching. The people are watching. And in 2027, the ballot will speak.”
For More News And Analysis About Nigeria Follow Africa-Press
