Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign, has paid a visit to the Oba of Lagos as part of efforts to build early momentum for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections. The visit, which took place on Monday, September 14, 2026, was accompanied by top APC leaders, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, Pius Ayim, and James Faleke, among others.
Northern Leaders Begin Mobilisation for Tinubu's 2027 Bid
The delegation's visit to the Oba of Lagos came just hours after they visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammad Sa'adu Abubakar, in Sokoto State. This sequence of visits signals a northern political push to build alliances with traditional rulers ahead of the next general elections. The move is widely seen as part of a broader grassroots mobilisation strategy targeting traditional institutions before the formal campaign season begins.
The Nigerian Affairs Journal shared a video of the Lagos visit via its X handle @NigAffairs on the same day, drawing significant attention online. Observers noted that Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and a prominent northern political figure, reaching out to the Oba of Lagos is part of an attempt to forge unity between northern political elites and influential traditional institutions in the South-West.
Strategic Significance of the Visit
The visit reflects a pattern of elder-first consultation that has historically characterised major political mobilisations in Nigeria. Securing the blessing and backing of traditional rulers carries significant symbolic and practical weight in the country's political landscape. The move suggests that Tinubu's campaign handlers are keen to consolidate his base beyond his home region while also ensuring key northern allies remain firmly in his corner.
This development comes as Tinubu is widely expected to seek a second term in 2027 and has been building political alliances across the country. Among the figures expected to contest the presidency against him are Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the NDC, and Atiku Abubakar of the ADC.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The post sparked lively debate among Nigerians on X, with opinions split along political lines. @Saheedtoriola wrote: "Hope those north noisemakers are seeing how their leaders are doing it?" @fidelotuya offered two separate takes, saying: "The President must be monitoring from his Paris holiday resort with beaming smiles of a good Yari-campaign team choice," and also: "This is a grassroots contact mobilisation strategy to seek out the elders first."
@Otunbacashogy2 predicted: "This set of Northern politicians will deliver 65% of votes to Tinubu. Atiku will be soundly humiliated in the North." Not everyone was impressed, however. @ShollzAsaaju dismissed the significance of the visit entirely, writing: "If he like make he visit King Charles for England..they go still lose."
Yari's Recent Statements on Fuel Subsidy
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Senator Yari declared that no future Nigerian president can restore the fuel subsidy. Yari said the subsidy costs Nigeria about ₦20 trillion a year, with no accurate data on daily fuel consumption from the NNPC. The APC campaign chief also revealed that the government spends over ₦2 trillion monthly on arms and security equipment.
