Key Takeaways
- Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Northern Nigeria to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
- Shettima framed a potential second term as a 'secure, bulletproof guarantee' for the region's future prosperity and stability.
- He cited substantial benefits to the North, including key appointments and N450 billion disbursed to 700,000 smallholder farmers, with 70% from the region.
- The 'Arewa for Tinubu' (A4A) think tank is actively mobilizing support, planning to engage religious leaders and grassroots communities.
- The meeting saw the attendance of several prominent Northern political figures and former governors, signaling broad regional endorsement.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched a robust campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election in 2027, issuing a compelling call to Northern Nigeria to rally behind the current administration. Speaking on Monday during a courtesy visit from the 'Arewa for Tinubu' (A4A) delegation, a prominent Northern-based think tank, Shettima emphatically declared that the region has 'absolutely nothing to fear' from a second term for President Tinubu.
Shettima implored Northern leaders and citizens to forge a united front in support of the President's re-election bid. He framed the administration's second-term agenda as a 'secure, bulletproof guarantee for the region’s future prosperity and stability,' a powerful assertion aimed at consolidating regional confidence and political alignment. This early and decisive push underscores the strategic importance of Northern Nigeria in the nation's political landscape.
According to the Vice President, the North has ample reason to embrace President Tinubu's re-election, citing immense benefits already accrued through strategic appointments, impactful projects, and various government programmes. He urged collective action, stating, "Let’s unite as a people and work for the development of our region and the progress of our people through the re-election of this administration. We are benefiting and we stand to benefit more from this government in many ways."
Shettima highlighted tangible economic support, noting that the Bank of Agriculture has disbursed a staggering N450 billion to 700,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria, with approximately 70 percent of these beneficiaries hailing from the North. He further assured the delegation that the administration is committed to completing landmark projects nationwide, reiterating, "I can assure you that the president loves the north and the president will work for the north."
The 'Arewa for Tinubu' (A4A) organization, instrumental in President Tinubu's 2023 electoral victory, has pledged to replicate its success in 2027. Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor and Chairman of A4A’s Board of Trustees (BoT), affirmed the group's unwavering commitment. Abubakar Badaru, former Jigawa State Governor and Director General of A4A, outlined the organization's comprehensive strategy, which includes engaging religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian clerics, and other prominent Nigerians to garner support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.
Badaru detailed the extensive outreach efforts, stating, "On discussions with the high profile, we have gone far. We have met them severally and the BoT is meeting them again to consolidate our gains and to tell them why there is need to support this ticket." He emphasized the group's focus on grassroots mobilization, working closely with the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to target local government areas and wards. The organization has also been collaborating with Northern governors and other stakeholders to synchronize efforts and strategies.
To enhance coordination, A4A has finalized plans for a full-fledged secretariat, complete with offices for directors and state coordinators. This centralized hub will facilitate report analysis, strategic planning, and the issuance of instructions to its members. The BoT Chairman formally extended an invitation to the Vice President to officially commission the A4A office complex.
The meeting was attended by a distinguished array of political figures, including former Governors Chief Joshua Dariye and Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau), Rev Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Alhaji Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Barr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina), and Mallam Isa Yuguda (Bauchi). Also present were Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to The President on Policy and Coordination, and Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman of NDLEA, alongside other top government officials and members of the A4A BoT and Secretariat.
Why This Matters
Vice President Shettima's early and forceful endorsement of President Tinubu's re-election, coupled with the organized efforts of groups like A4A, signals a proactive strategy to consolidate crucial Northern support well ahead of the 2027 general elections. This move is vital for the administration, as the North's significant voting bloc historically plays a decisive role in Nigerian presidential outcomes, underscoring the strategic importance of presenting a united regional front for future political stability and continuity.