2027 in the Balance: Northern Youths Hold Back on Tinubu’s Second Term Endorsement

By Achimi Muktar

As the political chessboard for the 2027 elections begins to take shape, the North remains undecided on whether to back President Bola Tinubu for a second term. According to Yerima Shettima, President General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, the region is still evaluating Tinubu’s performance and has not taken a collective stance on his re-election bid.

This comes amidst recent comments by Mamman Osuman, the suspended National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, who suggested that the North might support a regional candidate in 2027 to counter the current hardships facing the country.

Performance-Based Politics

In an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, Shettima emphasized that the North’s decision will be grounded in Tinubu’s ability to deliver on his promises.

“The North has not taken any position against Tinubu yet, but those dissatisfied with his government have the right to voice their anger,” Shettima said. “We’re encouraging him to adopt more people-friendly policies that will put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.”

He dismissed claims of a unified Northern opposition to Tinubu, adding, “Anyone who tells you the North has ganged up against Tinubu is lying. There is no collective decision yet.”

The Waiting Game

Shettima revealed that discussions about Tinubu’s future are ongoing within the Northern political landscape. He acknowledged that while some factions are critical of his administration, others remain hopeful that the government will address key challenges in the coming years.

“Some of us believe the government can still do something to turn things around,” Shettima noted.

A Northern Successor?

When asked about the possibility of a Northern candidate succeeding Tinubu, Shettima expressed his support, but with a caveat.

“Why wouldn’t I want someone from the North to succeed Tinubu? If he does well and completes his eight years, we would naturally want to produce his successor. However, if he fails to perform, we will collectively work against him in the next election,” Shettima stated.

The Road Ahead

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum’s stance highlights the complexity of Northern politics and its influence on national elections. With Tinubu’s policies under scrutiny, the President’s ability to win over Northern support may depend on significant improvements in governance and policy implementation.

As the 2027 election approaches, all eyes will be on the North to see whether it will rally behind Tinubu or chart a new course in Nigeria’s political future. For now, the decision hangs in the balance, leaving room for speculation and strategic maneuvering.