North Solidly Behind Tinubu For 2027— Ganduje

Immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has dismissed insinuations that Northern Nigeria would not support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, describing such assumption as “a big mistake.”

Ganduje said there was no better candidate from Southern Nigeria to lead the country beyond 2027 than Tinubu, citing his political experience, commitment to national unity and reform-driven leadership.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of Northern Nigeria youth leaders from the 19 northern states who paid him a courtesy visit and decorated him as patron of the forum.

According to Ganduje, Nigeria is fortunate to have President Tinubu as its leader, describing him as a seasoned and genuine politician whose life and career were rooted in politics and democratic struggle.

“As we approach the 2027 elections, those who are assuming or hoping that the North will support another candidate other than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu are making a big mistake,” Ganduje said.

He noted that President Tinubu’s political pedigree sets him apart, recalling his role in the pro-democracy struggle that forced him into exile during military rule.

“This is the first time Nigeria is fortunate to have a president who is a complete politician. Politics is his constituency; politics is his upbringing. He believes deeply in the unity of this country. He fought for democracy and even went into exile so that democracy could survive in Nigeria.

“There is therefore no better person to be elected in 2027 than Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Ganduje added that there was a pre- existing understanding within the political class that power would shift to the South after the completion of the eight-year tenure of the late president Muhamadu Buhari.

“Asiwaju has been in office for less than four years, yet we have already seen the impact of the reforms he has introduced reforms aimed at improving the socio-economic development of this country,” he said.

Highlighting some of the bold decisions taken by the Tinubu administration, Ganduje listed the removal of fuel subsidy,  describing it as a difficult but necessary step that previous administrations avoided.

“All the candidates who contested the 2023 election promised to remove fuel subsidy. Even the previous government made similar promises, but nobody was bold enough to take that decision. Asiwaju did,” he stated.

He explained that the policy had resulted in increased revenue for states across the federation, regardless of party affiliation.

“Today, all governors, irrespective of political party, acknowledge that they are receiving more funds for development. The president did not remove subsidy to favour APC governors; he did it for the good of the nation. These are measures that will ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s economy,” Ganduje added.

While assuring the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders of his continued support, Ganduje commended the group for their commitment, courage, and organisational strength , particularly their resolve to mobilise support and raise funds for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“There is no better demonstration of commitment than this. You are contributing your funds, your intellect, your energy, and your time to ensure the re-election of Asiwaju. For this, I sincerely commend and thank you,” he said.

Earlier, the National Leader of the Forum, Murtala Muhammad Gamji, described Ganduje as a role model, recalling how his leadership as Governor of Kano State empowered young people and elevated youth participation in governance.

“We are here to tell you that wherever you lead, we will follow. We have unanimously agreed to support the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by massively mobilising youths across the 19 Northern states and raising funds to purchase his nomination form ahead of the election,” Gamji said.

He dismissed claims that the North would not support Tinubu in 2027, describing them as false and misleading.

“Nobody has supported us in the North the way Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not true,” he declared.

The visit climaxed with the formal decoration of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the Grand Patron of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders  in recognition of his leadership and support for youth development in the region.