Prominent northern leaders, including the influential Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have strongly dismissed calls from the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, urging the North to hold off on seeking the presidency until 2031.
The ACF and other key northern political stakeholders have insisted that the region cannot be compelled to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, emphasizing that the North will not allow a single individual to dictate its political direction or voting decisions.
This strong reaction follows remarks made by Ganduje on Tuesday, in which he cautioned northern politicians against running for president in 2027. He asserted that Tinubu must be allowed to complete two terms, just as former President Muhammadu Buhari, who hails from the North, was given the opportunity to serve for eight years. Ganduje made this statement while receiving a delegation from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre and the Tinubu Northern Youth Forum at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
Defending his stance, Ganduje argued that political fairness and stability dictate that Tinubu should be allowed to complete his tenure without opposition from the North.
“When a leader from the North was in office for eight years, we advocated for the presidency to shift to the South,” Ganduje stated.
“Fortunately, with the support of Nigerians, our president is now from the South, and by Allah’s will, he will secure a second term in 2027.”
“After that, it will be the North’s turn,” he concluded.
El-Rufai Warns Against Imposing Tinubu on the North
However, former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared to challenge Ganduje’s position by sharing a post on his verified X handle, titled “2027: South West, Tinubu’s Supporters Playing with Fire – Part 1.”
The post implied that Tinubu’s relationship with the North has deteriorated within two years of his presidency. El-Rufai warned that if the situation is not properly managed, Tinubu could face a fate similar to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost his re-election bid in 2015 due to waning support from key political allies.
ACF Rejects Ganduje’s Appeal
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has firmly rejected Ganduje’s call, making it clear that the North cannot be coerced into backing Tinubu for a second term.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, dismissed Ganduje’s stance as an attempt to promote loyalty to the presidency rather than uphold the democratic right of the northern electorate.
“The presidency has turned into a personality cult, demanding complete loyalty,” Muhammad-Baba stated. “Those who are close to power may express such views, but their words are not constitutionally binding.”
He emphasized that voters cannot be forced into political decisions, asserting that it is ultimately up to the people to accept, reject, or reshape Ganduje’s position based on their own judgment.
“There’s nothing new in what Ganduje said. Many people have expressed similar sentiments before. Not too long ago, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the same argument—that northerners should wait until 2031.”
“But no individual or political party can force voters to align with a particular stance. What Ganduje said is merely his opinion, and the voters will decide whether to endorse, reject, or modify his statement. People are becoming more aware of political realities.”
“In 2015, we were promised a strong anti-corruption agenda, but over time, people realized it was not as effective as claimed. Then, in 2023, the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda was introduced, but for many, that hope is now turning into a nightmare.”
“President Bola Tinubu’s political future will not be determined by whether he chooses to run or not. Instead, it will be judged by his policies and their direct impact on the Nigerian people. If his leadership benefits them, they will support him. If not, they will look elsewhere,” Muhammad-Baba concluded.
Meanwhile, Salihu Lukman, former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), has expressed support for former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, during an interview with Punch.
Lukman stated, “El-Rufai is not saying anything different from what I have been saying all this time. The only difference is that he is speaking for the North, while I am speaking for the entire country.”