Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on northern leaders and citizens to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections, assuring that the region stands to benefit from a second Tinubu term. He made the appeal on Monday, October 12, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Arewa for Tinubu (A4A) delegation at Aso Rock.
Shettima Highlights Northern Benefits Under Tinubu
Shettima urged northern leaders to close ranks and present a united front, arguing that the Tinubu administration has already delivered tangible benefits to the region. He pointed to the Bank of Agriculture's disbursement of N450 billion to 700,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria, noting that about 70 per cent of the beneficiaries are from the north.
The Vice President's remarks were aimed at reassuring the delegation that a second Tinubu term would bring even more development to the region. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to consolidate political support for the President ahead of the 2027 polls.
Arewa for Tinubu Outlines 2027 Strategy
Abubakar Badaru, the group's Director General and a former Jigawa State Governor, told the gathering that A4A would intensify grassroots mobilisation across wards, communities, and local government areas in the north. He said the group plans to engage Muslim and Christian religious leaders, as well as other prominent Nigerians, to build broader support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.
Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the group's Board of Trustees, said A4A had already held several meetings with northern governors and other stakeholders to coordinate their efforts. He confirmed that the organisation had concluded plans to open a fully operational secretariat, with offices for directors and state coordinators to receive reports, analyse them, and issue directives.
Secretariat Commissioning and Attendees
Shekarau formally invited the Vice President to commission the A4A office complex on Saturday, October 17, 2027. The invitation underscores the group's readiness to launch its full-scale campaign machinery for the 2027 elections.
Among those present at the meeting were former governors Joshua Dariye and Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Jolly Nyame of Taraba, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina, and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi. Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, and NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) also attended.
The meeting comes amid reports of political realignments in the north, with Legit.ng earlier reporting that hundreds of PDP and ADC members in Kabba-Bunu local government area formally crossed to the ruling APC at a decamping ceremony. Former PDP leader Hon. Michael Olubiyo cited Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo's leadership style as a key reason for his defection. The APC ward chairman said the mass defection reflects growing support for the governor, state security adviser, and local government chairman.
