In a significant political declaration, former All Progressives Congress national chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has asserted that Northern Nigeria will overwhelmingly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election. Ganduje emphasized that those predicting otherwise are committing what he termed "a big mistake" in their political calculations.
Northern Support Solidified for Tinubu
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Youth Leaders from the 19 northern states on Friday, January 30, 2026, Ganduje made his position unequivocally clear. The former Kano state governor, who was decorated as patron of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum during the event, stated that President Tinubu remains the best candidate to govern Nigeria beyond 2027 from Southern Nigeria.
"Pertaining to the next election in 2027, those that are nursing or thinking otherwise that the North will vote another candidate other than Asiwaju are making a big mistake," Ganduje declared emphatically.
Tinubu's Political Credibility and Experience
Ganduje highlighted President Tinubu's extensive political background as a crucial asset for the nation's governance. He noted that Nigeria is fortunate to have its first president who is what he described as "a real politician" with deep roots in political engagement.
"This is the first time Nigeria as a nation is lucky to have a politician as President. His constituency is politics; his upbringing is politics because he believes in the unity of this country. In fact, he struggled, he was even in exile for democracy to survive in Nigeria," Ganduje explained during the meeting.
The former APC chairman further elaborated that Tinubu's political experience and commitment to national unity make him uniquely qualified for continued leadership, particularly as the country navigates complex economic and social challenges.
Historical Context and Political Agreements
Ganduje provided important historical context, revealing that there was an agreement even before the 2015 election of the late President Muhammadu Buhari that a Southerner would emerge after eight years of his administration. This understanding, according to Ganduje, forms part of the political landscape that supports Tinubu's current presidency and potential re-election.
The former governor pointed to Tinubu's governance record, noting that despite being in office for less than four years, the president has implemented significant reforms aimed at improving the country's socioeconomic development.
"Asiwaju has only been there for less than four years now and we have seen the measures, the reforms that he undertook. The reforms that he introduced in order to improve the social economic development of this country," Ganduje stated, suggesting these achievements warrant continued support.
Growing Momentum for Tinubu's Re-Election
The declaration comes amid increasing political activities surrounding the 2027 election cycle. Recent developments indicate growing support for Tinubu's re-election bid across various regions and political constituencies.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has already endorsed President Tinubu's re-election, citing significant federal government support for Kaduna projects including N1 billion for the Light Rail project and $200 million for a poultry initiative. The governor attributed recent political defections to the APC to Tinubu's successful projects and robust political engagement in the state.
Furthermore, the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum announced it had raised N200 million to purchase the APC 2027 presidential nomination form for President Tinubu. The forum officially endorsed Tinubu for a second term and launched the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Platform to promote his re-election campaign.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
Ganduje's statements carry significant weight in Nigerian political circles, given his position as former national chairman of the ruling party and his influence in Northern politics. His endorsement signals potential consolidation of Northern support for Tinubu's re-election bid, which could prove crucial in the 2027 electoral calculations.
The former governor's characterization of predictions about Northern opposition to Tinubu as a "big mistake" suggests confidence in the administration's ability to maintain and expand its political base despite economic challenges and other governance issues.
As the 2027 election approaches, political analysts will be watching closely to see how Ganduje's declarations translate into actual political mobilization and whether other Northern leaders will echo similar sentiments of support for President Tinubu's re-election campaign.
