2027: Northern lecturers endorse Tinubu

More than 600 senior academics from public universities across Northern Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's bid for a second term. This endorsement marked a key highlight at a meeting convened by the President's Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, at the Umaru Musa Yar'Ada Centre in Kaduna. The closed-door discussion allowed academics to deliberate on Nigeria's political future.

While journalists were initially excluded from the meeting, they later witnessed the issuance of a communiqué summarizing the discussions.

The attendees included various state governors, such as Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya. Other notable figures present were Minister of Defence Bello Matawalle, Minister of Housing Muttaqha Rabe Darma, and former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari.

Representatives from different zones of Northern Nigeria were given opportunities to voice their opinions, including the Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues from the North West.

Prof. Mohammed Umar Sanda of the Federal University Dutsinma attended the meeting, although a source claimed he denied attending when contacted. The Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Prof. Musa, read the communiqué, stating that academics critically examined the Tinubu administration's performance since May 2023, including economic, political, security, and social conditions in the North.

The scholars acknowledged the challenges faced by the administration but acknowledged some positive outcomes, such as education financing, agriculture, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities.

After their deliberations, the academics resolved to express their support for Tinubu's re-election in the 2027 presidential election. However, they emphasized that their support should not be viewed as unconditional and urged the government to address high food and transportation costs, unemployment, and insecurity. They also called for an improved security strategy that combines military operations, intelligence gathering, effective policing, community engagement, and economic opportunities.

Additionally, the academics urged the government to increase investment in critical infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, and irrigation, in the North.

President Tinubu's adviser, Masari, addressed the attendees, encouraging academics to participate in the political process and contribute to determining the country's leadership. The meeting's invitation letter highlighted the goal of seeking the academic community's endorsement and active support for Tinubu's re-election. The organisers aimed to mobilize support through an interactive session of senior academics from Northern Nigeria and selected government functionaries.