2027: North has no reason not to support Tinubu – Yari

Abdulaziz Yari, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has stated that the northern region of Nigeria has no reason not to support President Bola Tinubu's bid for re-election ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Yari made this remark during a meeting at the palace of Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, as part of the PCC's preparations for the upcoming elections.

He argued that the north should reciprocate the support Tinubu provided to former President Muhammadu Buhari during his presidential bid and subsequent re-election in 2019. According to Yari, Tinubu resisted pressure to contest the 2019 election against Buhari, stating that it was the turn of the north to produce the president. Yari recalled that some within the APC had tried to convince Tinubu to run for president in 2019, but he resisted the pressure, believing it was the north's turn to complete its full term.

He emphasized that Tinubu stayed with Buhari until the end, only contesting when Buhari asked for his support. Yari stated that the support Tinubu extended to Buhari is a basis for northerners to reciprocate by backing Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. He highlighted Tinubu's performance and the administration's efforts to address challenges inherited from previous governments as reasons for northerners to support the incumbent president.

Yari concluded by stating that there is no reason for the northern region not to support Tinubu's continuation of his presidency, as there are still individuals of high caliber and integrity who believe in justice and fairness.