Some prominent northern leaders on Monday visited the leadership of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, to declare their collaboration with the South-West in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The northern delegation, under the aegis of the Arewa Think Tank, said they were impressed with the President’s performance midway into his first term and had resolved to back him for a second tenure.
The group’s convener, Muhammad Yakubu, led the delegation to the Akure residence of Afenifere’s National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Ondo State. Yakubu explained that the Think Tank comprises professionals drawn from the 19 northern states and is chaired by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Mukhtar Yero.
“We are here today to renew our relationship with the South-West and reassure the region that the North will stand firmly by President Ahmed Tinubu,” Yakubu said.
“We also want to thank you, Pa Fasoranti, and the South-West for giving Nigeria a president with a clear vision and mission. President Tinubu has done well in the last two years, and we are here to present to you his impressive mid-term scorecard. We are hopeful he will take Nigeria to the promised land.”
Yakubu added that inter-regional collaboration had already yielded visible progress in governance and national cohesion under Tinubu’s administration.
“We have seen what mutual support between the North and South can achieve. We are impressed with the President’s efforts so far and wish to renew our support and partnership with the South-West, especially the Afenifere elders,” he said.
Responding on behalf of Fasoranti, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the traditional ruler of Ilu Abo community in Ondo State, Oba Olu Falae, commended the northern leaders for their visit and their desire to strengthen national unity through support for President Tinubu.
Falae said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated both understanding of Nigeria’s structural challenges and the courage to tackle them through difficult but necessary reforms.
“We thank God that we now have a civilian president who understands Nigeria’s problems and has the courage to confront them,” Falae said.
“We all knew that fuel subsidy was enriching a few people at the expense of the nation. Many previous governments lacked the courage to remove it, but President Tinubu did. The same applies to the multiple exchange rates that distorted our economy and scared away investors. Again, Tinubu had the courage to unify them.”
The elder statesman acknowledged that while the reforms were painful, they were essential for long-term economic stability.
“Yes, when the subsidy and exchange rates were removed, prices shot up and life became difficult. But what he did was absolutely necessary. If I were in his position, there are some measures I might have taken beforehand to cushion the impact, but things are already improving — food prices are coming down,” he said.
Also speaking, Afenifere’s Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, described the northern leaders’ gesture as a welcome development. He expressed optimism that the broad-based support across regions would guarantee President Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 general election.
“This visit is significant and encouraging,” Omololu said. “It shows that President Tinubu’s leadership is gaining genuine acceptance nationwide, and we are confident that with this kind of collaboration, victory in 2027 is assured.”
