NewStats: 3,265,344 , 8,186,456 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 02:40 PM v584c

Northern leaders have been divided over the possible re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the once monolithic North is now split, with core northerners determinedto oust Tinubu in 2027, while northern minorities his re-election.

Our correspondents noted that although core northerners complain about the President’s unfavourable disposition towards the region, minority groups argue that they have fared well under his istration.

The Middle Belt, southern Kadunaresidents, Hausa Christians of Northern Nigeria, and many natives of Plateau State have distanced themselves from the plot to unseat Tinubu.

However, core northerners, represented by various political, socio-cultural, and indigenous groups, insist that Tinubu does not deserve a second term.

The division among northern stakeholders is evident in social media exchanges between former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and a human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, who frequently express differing views on Tinubu’s approach to northern issues, particularly security.

The Arewa Consultative Forum, a key political and cultural association in Northern Nigeria, alongside several prominent northern figures, said the region could not be coerced into re-electing Tinubu.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH , the Secretary General of the group, Murtala Aliyu, stated that the forum remained nonpartisan and would not or oppose any candidate.

The ACF was responding to a recent statement by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, who urged northern politicians with presidential ambitions to abandon their aspirations because Tinubu would serve for two .

“What we normally do at ACF is to highlight critical issues that the people should consider when choosing a candidate, irrespective of their political party. We do not involve ourselves in promoting or antagonising any candidate,” Aliyu said.

The League of Northern Democrats, a northern group comprising of the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, vowed to an alternative candidate in 2027. The spokesperson for the group, Ladan Salihu, said,

“We don’t have a personal agenda against Tinubu, but we believe his government has not delivered. The performance indicators do not add up to justify northern .

“The government has not met expectations, and we in the North are not convinced he deserves another opportunity. Even those who voted for him are now filled with regret.

His istration has brought hardship, poverty and agony to the people. “No northerner with a conscience can claim to be impressed with Tinubu’s performance. He may have the best intentions, but the system he is working with is flawed and unsustainable. It cannot deliver on the promises he made to the North.

”Salihu also hinted at the possibility of a new political movement to field a northern candidate against Tinubu in 2027. “Yes, there is a possibility, because we are not convinced that this government can lift Nigeria out of its current predicament,” he said.

Similarly, the National Coalition of Northern Groups warned that the North would not vote for Tinubu if economic conditions did not improve. In an interview with Sunday PUNCH , the coalition president, Jamilu Charanchi, stated that the North, which holds the majority of votes, would not re-elect Tinubu if economic hardship persisted.

“It is the people who will decide who leads the country—there is no doubt about that. The North has a majority. It is up to President Tinubu to make the right decisions so that people will re-elect him.

If he continues on this path, I can tell you clearly that people will not vote for him,” he said. Urging Nigerians to vote wisely, Charanchi advised the electorate to choose leaders based on competence, capacity, integrity and adherence to the rule of law. He said,

“Nigerians should not allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians. They should vote based on merit and mobilise others to elect leaders who will lift the country out of its current crisis.”

Charanchi described Ganduje’s comment as troubling and disheartening, stating that it indicated the APC chairman was out of touch with reality.

“Is he satisfied with Nigeria’s failing economy? Does he believe these failures are acceptable or justified?” he asked.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, had previously hinted at northern efforts to remove Tinubu in 2027. Lawal recently declared his intention to work with El-Rufai to prevent Tinubu’s re- election.

In an interview, Lawal blamed Tinubu’s economic policies for worsening poverty and hardship in Northern Nigeria.

“The North is seriously mobilising with a consensus that Bola Tinubu must step down in the 2027 election. There is no doubt about this consensus.

“I may not have always agreed with El-Rufai, but on this issue, I will him to stop Tinubu from winning the 2027 election. If Tinubu wins, northern Nigeria will turn into one large refugee camp,” he said.

El-Rufai, on Monday, shared on his X handle an opinion by a chieftain of the party, Uche Diala, who warned that if Tinubu was not careful, he might face the same fate as former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 election.

The article stated, “I have read and heard the arrogant posturing and braggadocio by some people who I refer to as political rabble-ros, but I get more worried each day as it keeps looking more and more like a movie we had seen before.

“May I remind some persons that, more than the performance or lack thereof of the President Goodluck Jonathan istration, it was his attitude, and that of people around him, towards the North that ultimately brought him down and by extension the PDP that had boasted that it would rule Nigeria for 60 years.”

El-Rufai himself had on his X handle criticised the APC, lamenting the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the party.

He wrote “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years— no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.”

However, the Northern minorities distanced themselves from the plot to oust Tinubu.

One of the notable northern minority groups, the Middle Belt Forum, stated that the region had decided to a southern presidency in 2027.

The MBF argued that the region had received a better deal under the current istration than under former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite prevailing economic hardships.

According to the MBF’s spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the Middle Belt has secured more political appointments at thenational level and more infrastructural projects than under the previous government.

Sunday PUNCH noted that Middle Belt indigenes in Tinubu’s istration include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume (Benue State), and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda (Plateau State).

“We are having a better deal under Bola Tinubu than under Buhari, even though we are all experiencing economic hardship like everyone else.

“The Middle Belt Forum, for sure, still stands for a southern presidency in 2027. So, it is up to President Tinubu to up his game to attract the Middle Belt when an alternative candidate emerges in 2027,” Binniyat said.

Similarly, indigenous Hausa Christians of Northern Nigeria dissociated themselves from the plot to remove Tinubu in 2027, stating that they would not be pressured into making a decision that could negatively impact the social well- being of their people.

According to the Christian group, Tinubu’s istration had demonstrated a commitment to addressing the insecurity that has plagued many northern states.

“All we want at the moment is inclusivity, as we have many qualified individuals and seasoned politicians capable of holding political office.

“Instead of calling for the President’s removal in 2027, we are urging him to consider some of our people for appointments, as we refuse to inherit anyone’s enemies,” said the National Chairman of the group, Daniel Musa.

Some indigenes of Plateau State also declared for Tinubu’s second term. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH under the auspices of the Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives in Jos, the indigenes acknowledged the President’s contributions to the development of their region. The association’sSecretary General, Dickson Auta, said,

“He (Tinubu) has indeed shown that he is a detribalised leader because he has been striving to spread developmental projects across every part of the country.

“Our people are only concerned about good governance, and if Mr President continues on this developmental path, I am sure our people will have no choice but to his ambition in 2027 should he decide to run for a second term.

In fact, we are already ing him.” Also, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union commended Tinubu for appointing individuals from Southern Kaduna to key positions.

A spokesperson for SOKAPU, Josiah Abraks, cited the appointment of Gen. Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, as examples of the President’s inclusivity, which has benefited the people of Southern Kaduna.

“The southern part of Kaduna is willing to partner with whoever is ready to work with us to ensure our growth and development,” he added.

https://punchng.com/north-divided-over-tinubu-re-election-as-leaders-take-sides/

Middle Belt is in the bag already, the pity votes and religious sentiments Obi got from there during the last election is dead and buried.
As for the Arewa Consultative Forum, they are Atiku's boys, they ed him during the last election and they lost. Their opinion is therefore inconsequential. Is it not the same NE and NW that people are decamping to APC everyday . As a matter of fact, present APC under Tinubu has become even bigger and stronger than under Buhari. They say Buhari was the only one pulling APC together and after he leaves office, APC would split but today, the reverse is the case. In 2027, Tinubu will collect 25% in 10 states out of the 13 states in the core North. It is done and dusted.



After God, na Tinubu 💪 God bless Nigeria

Drug dealing, certificateless , Illegal aso rock occupant will soon meet his Waterloo

I don't evil; so I don't him.

Lol
Muslim Muslim

aariwa:
Drug dealing, certificateless , Illegal aso rock occupant will soon meet his Waterloo

Osariemen12:
I don't evil; so I don't him.

See these ipob clowns.. Even in the SE, Tinubu will beat Obi silly like a thief. It will not be like 2023 result where Obi the tribalist, took 98% in the SE.

Who are the major northern leaders that are against president Tinubu?

Me sha know say Buhari, Abdusalam and Babangida are not amongst those scheming against his Excellency

Ojuntana:
Lol
Muslim Muslim

Before?.. Muslim -Muslim ticket is sacrosanct..

In a one-minute, 30-second video of his Friday sermon last week, Sheikh Jingir further fuelled the debate, saying: “I know Tinubu will not ask them to do this.

We suspect they want to do rituals with the Quran, and whoever does rituals with the Quran is not among us. We are only for Muslim-Muslim.”

zero8zero:


See these ipob clowns.. Even in the SE, Tinubu will beat Obi silly like a thief. It will not be like 2023 result where Obi the tribalist, took 98% in the SE.

Bro , ignore those people.

How many years have they been sounding same? Do you think they are interested in stopping?

helinues:


Bro , ignore those people.

How many years have they been sounding same? Do you think they are interested in stopping?

Sometimes you need to remind them how ignorant they sound.

zero8zero:


See these ipob clowns.. Even in the SE, Tinubu will beat Obi silly like a thief. It will not be like 2023 result where Obi the tribalist, took 98% in the SE.

nonsense ewedu analysis from a clown tinubu cannot beat Kwakwanso in a free and fair elections

Tinubu remains the worst president in Nigeria history.
Data doesn't like andpropa doesn't run economy...

zero8zero:

Before?.. Muslim -Muslim ticket is sacrosanct..

Lol
And the shege is second to none

zero8zero:

Sometimes you need to remind them how ignorant they sound.

Would that stop them from repeating the boring attitude tomorrow?

Ojuntana:

Lol
And the shege is second to none

Is it your shege?, Amebo.

aariwa:
nonsense ewedu analysis from a clown tinubu cannot beat Kwakwanso in a free and fair elections

Lol, see this ipob clown. Better be bothered how Tinubu will embarrass Obi in the SE. The Christian votes he's relying on are gone.

PressMyButton:


https://punchng.com/north-divided-over-tinubu-re-election-as-leaders-take-sides/

We are voting MIDDLE BELT is 2031. Tinubu am sorry is leaving in 2031.

Power has left core North for better Nigeria.

Middle belt that are screaming out over the hardship they are witnessing under this tilumbulation

You want them to go and vote for you APC riffraffs again?

Even at that obi will not be president

Middle Belt have seen the light, I can't really blame them at the last election, they had their fears. Right now, they are in a safer place. Ignore any noisemakers, the only thing we're waiting for in 2027, is for INEC to announce the President as the winner because the opposition will also endorse him.


-Kiss the truth!

The north just want to be in power all the time.

You may think they are interested in national progress, but they are not .

They just want to remain in power as if they are the only tribe entitled to power in Nigeria.

I am not a fan of Tinubu, but I wonder why these same people were silence when buhari was the president.

The north will dare not stop the south from 2 . I don't care if it is Tinubu or anyone, the south must complete 8 yrs in aso rock.

zero8zero:

Is it your shege?, Amebo.

You guys and your shabby calculations though
These are the same northern Christians you said can't get the votes for Tinubu is 2023 which you claim made Muslim Muslim desirable

Suddenly they are the new bride? How will the calculations make them give Tinubu victory this time around?

All these noisemakers, Tinubu doesn't make noise. A kingmaker that became a King, una no dey fear?

The real joker is the former eastern Nigeria. They will be the undisputed king maker 2027. I would have suggested they sacrifice the presidency for economic breathing space that will gove them 2 deep sea ports in Bayelsa, calabar an international gateway to the world in enugu, a banking valley in Asaba that will host the headquarters of UBA, Fidelity ,Access and Zenith bank and another media valley that will host the headquarters of sunnewspaper, guardian.ng, thisdaylive,AIT,Ray Power, Arise TV.then finally turning port Harcourt to the oil and gas capital of Africa.
2 functioning river ports in Aba and onitsha with rail to the heart of ariaria and the heart of ochanja and bridge head market and linking all market to high speed rail to the airport with helipad and high speed optic Fibre and rebuilding the markets to Asia standard

There are more priorities than the presidency.

The real joker is the former eastern Nigeria. They will be the undisputed king maker 2027. I would have suggested they sacrifice the presidency for economic breathing space that will gove them 2 deep sea ports in Bayelsa, calabar an international gateway to the world in enugu, a banking valley in Asaba that will host the headquarters of UBA, Fidelity, Access and Zenith bank and another media valley that will host the headquarters of sunnewspaper, guardian.ng, thisdaylive,AIT,Ray Power, Arise TV.then finally turning port Harcourt to the oil and gas capital of Africa.
2 functioning river ports in Aba and onitsha with rail to the heart of ariaria and the heart of ochanja and bridge head market and linking all market to high speed rail to the airport with helipad and high speed optic Fibre and rebuilding the markets to Asia standard

There are more priorities than the presidency.

No sane Nigerian who knew about the damage the Buhari and Tinubu APC have done to this nation would want any continuity of this disaster

zero8zero:

Lol, see this ipob clown. Better be bothered how Tinubu will embarrass Obi in the SE. The Christian votes he's relying on are gone.

if you actually believe tinubu will beat Obi in an electronic voting and transmission free and fair elections then you are not only a clown but an true embodiment of your Nairaland’s moniker- zero IQ

aariwa:
if you actually believe tinubu will beat Obi in an electronic voting and transmission free and fair elections then you are not only a clown but an true embodiment of your Nairaland’s moniker- zero IQ

Tinubu will beat him silly. Obi is a boy.

OK we shall see

Osariemen12:
I don't evil; so I don't him.

Every Politician is evil