Seyi Tinubu’s Actions Put Father’s 2027 Re-election Bid At Risk – Arewa Group

A fresh wave of political tension is building within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following a high-level meeting between the leadership of the North-West APC Youth Stakeholders’ Forum, led by its coordinating chairman, Hon. Bashir Ruma, and the national leadership of the Arewa Democratic Youth Stakeholders’ Forum. The meeting focused on what the forum described as the marginalisation of northern youths in political participation and decision-making within the party.

In a press statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Amb. Salawudeen Shaibu, alleged that northern youths had been systematically excluded from strategic youth leadership positions.
The organisation said it would mobilise support group leaders across the North to resist what it described as sectional politics and unequal treatment.

The forum further announced that the North-East and North-Central zones would be coordinated by Hon. Haruna Sardauna and Mallam Idiriss Jibrin, respectively, to mobilise APC support groups in response to what it alleged as the exclusion of northern youth interests. According to the forum, the coordinators have been tasked with engaging stakeholders across the two regions to oppose what they described as attempts to sideline Arewa-led support groups and to advocate for greater inclusion within the party.
The Forum welcomed the decision of several APC support group leaders to join what it called a collective campaign against alleged tribal discrimination. According to the statement, the movement seeks to promote fairness, inclusion, and equal political opportunities for young people from every region of Nigeria.

In what observers may view as a significant political warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Forum announced a directive to 1,378 registered APC political support group leaders across the 3 geopolitical zones, 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to begin consultations on withdrawing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid unless their concerns are addressed.

The organisation specifically alleged that Barrister Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has played a central role in influencing youth political structures and appointments in ways that exclude northern youths.

The Forum further claimed that appointments within youth-related political and governmental institutions have disproportionately favoured individuals from the Yoruba region, arguing that such developments have created feelings of exclusion among many northern youths. It called for greater regional balance and inclusiveness in youth representation.

According to the statement, the Forum also questioned the recognition and support allegedly given to certain Yoruba-affiliated youth movements, claiming that support groups led by northern politicians and youth leaders have not received equal consideration. The organisation argued that all registered support groups should be treated fairly, regardless of regional affiliation.

Seyi Tinubu is deliberately and strategically blocking Arewa youths from accessing any opportunities or inclusion in this nation’s decision-making process. He influenced the President to appoint a Yoruba brother as Minister of Youth Development to lead the youth in governmental affairs. He also influenced his Yoruba brothers to lead the ruling party affairs as National Youth Leader. He influenced his Yoruba brother to lead student affairs in the NANS Presidency and to serve as SSA to Mr President on student affairs. He influenced his Yoruba brother to lead youth activists in the NYCN. He is using presidential influence to block all northern youths from accessing leadership opportunities in any youth group.

As the 2027 elections approach, he now recommends only two youth movements to the party and the Presidency for the funding of their activities. His Yoruba brothers lead the two groups: City Boy Movement and Relax Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria Movement. All the political support groups registered under the APC across the 19 states and the FCT that are led by northern youth must liaise with the Yoruba support groups, City Boy Movement, and The Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria Movement.

Seyi Tinubu is pushing to collapse all APC support groups led by northerners. This is unacceptable discrimination against northern youth. The leadership of the Arewa Democratic Youth Stakeholders Forum makes a strong call on support group leaders across the 19 northern states to withdraw support for Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 elections.

I want Seyi to know that Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the APC and Tinubu belong to Nigeria, not only to the Yoruba. Arewa gave his father more votes than his Yoruba brothers, yet he feels empowered to look down on Arewa youths. Tinubu won the 2023 election in many Arewa states, but he did not win Lagos State by the margin used to symbolise the City Boy Movement.

Hon. Bashir Ruma urged northern youth leaders to remain united and peaceful as they pursue what he described as a legitimate demand for equal representation. He said the movement’s objective is to strengthen democratic participation and ensure that every region has a voice in national youth affairs.

The Forum maintained that northern voters contributed significantly to the APC’s electoral success in the 2023 general elections and argued that this contribution should be reflected in political inclusion and leadership opportunities for northern youths.

Warning of possible political consequences, the Arewa Democratic Youth Stakeholders Forum said continued dissatisfaction among northern youths could affect party unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. It called on the APC leadership to engage with stakeholders and address concerns before they escalate.

The organisation appealed to President Bola Tinubu to promote national unity by ensuring that appointments and political opportunities reflect Nigeria’s diversity. It stressed that equal treatment of youths across all regions remains essential for strengthening democracy and maintaining confidence within the party.

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next general elections, the issues raised by the Forum are likely to generate debate within the APC and across the wider political landscape. At the time of this report, neither the Presidency, the APC national leadership, nor Barrister Seyi Tinubu had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the Forum’s statement.