Prominent northern political leaders and former governors yesterday met with serving governors from the region in Abuja to discuss strategies for mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027
The meeting, which began at about 7 pm on Thursday, lasted late into the night under the aegis of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a support group for the President
A source at the meeting said the leaders expressed concern that governors in the region needed to do more to develop strategies for the 2027 presidential election, given what they described as growing opposition to Tinubu in the North
The group was recently formed to counter the perception that most northern political leaders had not endorsed the President’s second-term bid and might be supporting other candidates
The source said the group was concerned that the perceived hostility towards the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate among northern voters could make it difficult for political leaders to sell Tinubu’s candidacy when campaigns begin
The concern, the source added, was heightened by the President’s reported position that he would not visit every state during the campaign
With Tinubu unlikely to visit all the states, the responsibility for mobilising votes for him in the North would rest largely on the shoulders of serving governors and other APC leaders in the region
Our correspondent learnt that some leaders were also worried that if the President won re-election in 2027 without their political influence being felt, it could create the impression that they had either failed to work for him or lacked effective political structures in their states
“The political leaders’ worries were heightened by the manner the President treated the former governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, who lost his state in the last governorship election and was not recognised in the composition of the revised presidential campaign council,” a source said
“By recognising the governor, who is a member of the opposition Accord Party, the President has sent a clear message that he wouldn’t mind overlooking APC governors to work with opposition figures if the APC leaders cannot work for his success,” the source added
The 14-member Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa for Asiwaju is chaired by former Kano State Governor and ex-Education Minister, Sen Ibrahim Shekara, while former Jigawa State governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, serves as the BOT’s Secretary, assisted by Engr Abubakar Gambo.
Members are former Yobe State governor and current Minister of Police Affairs, Sen Ibrahim Geidam; former Plateau State governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong; Alh. Ibrahim Kabir Masari; Senator Joshua Dariye; Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd); Senator Aliyu Wamakko; Isa Yuguda; Rev. Jolly Nyame; Senator Atiku Bagudu; former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello; Hajia Aishatu Dukku and Hajia Binta Ibrahim.