President-general of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima has said that the north cannot support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election come 2027 general election.
Shettima who made the assertion while reacting to a call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and minister of state (defence), Dr Bello Matawalle, urging the north to shelve the idea of seeking the presidency in 2027.
Ganduje urged them to support Tinubu’s re-election and reclaim power in 2031.
Reacting to the request, Shettima criticised the statements made by Ganduje and Matawalle, arguing that their proposal undermines the principles of democracy and regional political aspirations.
The further contended that postponing northern presidential aspirations in favour of Tinubu’s re-election was a blatant disregard for the democratic rights of many politicians and their supporters.
His words: “The assumption that Tinubu’s re-election guarantees Northern ascendancy in 2031 is inherently flawed.
“Secondly, the statements could alienate a significant portion of the Northern population. Many Northern Nigerians may perceive this suggestion as a betrayal of their democratic rights and an acceptance of political subordination.”
Truthlive News gathered that Shettima while speaking in an interview with Vanguard, published on Tuesday, March 18, Shettima warned that backing Tinubu’s second term as a strategic move could weaken the north’s political strength, create internal divisions, and alienate northern voters.
He said, instead of waiting for 2031, Shettima urged northern political leaders to build stronger internal party structures and develop formidable candidates capable of competing against any ruling government and party.
“While the proposition to support Tinubu’s re-election and aim for the presidency in 2031 may seem like a strategic calculation on the surface, it carries significant risks. The gamble ignores the complexities of Nigerian politics, potentially undermines democratic principles, and risks alienating significant segments of the Northern population. A more holistic and inclusive approach, focusing on strengthening internal party structures, identifying and nurturing viable candidates, and building wider national alliances, would offer a more robust and sustainable path to achieving the North’s presidential aspirations rather than relying on a potentially flawed and short-sighted strategy. The long-term consequences of this proposed plan need to be carefully considered before accepting it as a viable path to power.”
Truthlive News also gathered that northern political leaders, dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, are making frantic move to announce their candidate for 2027.