In the run-up to the 2027 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received a major electoral boost in northern Nigeria when the Arewa Youth Assembly announced its complete support for him. The North is still debating Tinubu's performance and reelection chances, so this support is timely.
According to Yerima Shettima, the President General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, the current attitude from powerful youth organizations like the Arewa Youth Assembly reflects an increasing faith in Tinubu's leadership. This comes after the North had not yet adopted a unified stance on Tinubu's 2027 bid. Shettima had earlier stressed that the North's backing would depend on Tinubu's capacity to fulfill his campaign pledges and enact policies that benefit the area and the nation as a whole.
An influential youth group in the area, the North West Youth Network (NWYN), has also spoken out in favor of Tinubu's government, lauding his choice of Yazeed Shehu Danfulani to head the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC). This action is seen as a dedication to involving and empowering young people economically, particularly in the agricultural industry, which is crucial to the North's economy. To demonstrate the magnitude of their support, NWYN has begun grassroots mobilization activities to garner more than 20 million votes for Tinubu in 2027.
In addition, Tinubu has been instructed by the Arewa Youth Movement (AYM) to choose a Christian from the North to be his running partner in the 2027 elections. This suggestion tries to overcome the religious and geographical disparities identified in the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket, which alienated crucial Christian votes in the North, notably in the Middle Belt. The organization thinks that such a move will extend Tinubu’s appeal and boost his prospects of gaining critical Northern Christian strongholds such as the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, and Nasarawa states.
Although there were Northerners who wanted a regional candidate to run against Tinubu, young groups are now more likely to back Tinubu's re-election as long as he keeps getting things done. Shettima admitted that although some unhappiness persists, there is a significant conviction that Tinubu’s administration can still make meaningful reforms that would benefit Nigerians and earn Northern support.
This collective support from several Northern youth organizations shows the strategic significance of the area in Nigeria’s political environment. The North’s political weight and voter population make its support important for any presidential contender. The Arewa youths’ endorsement of Tinubu suggests a potentially critical role in the 2027 elections, demonstrating both a recognition of his present administration’s successes and a realistic attitude to future leadership.
As the election draws nearer, the political dynamics in the North will continue to evolve, but for now, the message from the Arewa Youth Assembly and allied groups is clear: the North stands fully behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027, ready to mobilize support and votes to secure his second term.
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