The Tinubu Again Movement, a group supporting President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027, has set a target of 20 million votes nationwide. The movement's Director-General, Dr Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, made the announcement during the group's North-East zonal engagement meeting in Bauchi. Aliyu urged Northerners to re-elect Tinubu, citing improved security in the North-East under the current administration. He claimed that insecurity had decreased, citing his safe overnight road journey from Abuja to Bauchi as evidence.
Aliyu's comments on security come amid ongoing challenges in parts of Northern Nigeria, including attacks by armed groups and other criminal elements. Despite this, he pointed to the Federal Government's efforts to address insecurity, such as approving two Army formations in Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa local government areas of Bauchi State. The government has also increased military salaries, expanded the Nigerian Army, and recruited 28,000 additional personnel. These measures aim to strengthen national security and address the concerns of residents.
The Tinubu Again Movement was convened by the Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle. Aliyu cited the completion of a diagnostic centre at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi as one of the Federal Government's interventions in the state. The facility is part of 10 diagnostic centres approved under Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to improve access to advanced medical services. This initiative aims to reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for specialised diagnostic procedures.
On the economy, Aliyu acknowledged that the removal of the petrol subsidy had increased monthly statutory allocations to state governments. However, he called for greater transparency in the publication of detailed breakdowns of Federation Account Allocation Committee disbursements to state and local governments. This, he believes, will enable citizens to assess how public funds are spent and know how much their governments receive.
Aliyu also commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, an intervention designed to reduce financial barriers to tertiary education. The fund aims to widen access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The movement will continue to engage political stakeholders, community leaders, and supporters across the North-East to promote the administration's policies ahead of the election.
At the meeting, the Bauchi State APC chairman expressed gratitude to the movement for choosing the state to host its zonal engagement. Other attendees, including a former Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Umar Ibrahim Saleh, and the Minority Leader of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Bala Abdu Rishi, pledged support for Tinubu's re-election. Rishi stated that Bauchi State would contribute two million votes to the movement's target of 20 million votes.
The meeting demonstrated the movement's efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu's re-election. With the target of 20 million votes, the movement aims to secure a significant mandate for the President. The engagement with stakeholders and supporters across the North-East will likely continue in the lead-up to the 2027 presidential election.
Key points
- The Tinubu Again Movement targets 20 million votes nationwide for President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
- Dr Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu cites improved security in the North-East as a reason to re-elect Tinubu.
- The movement was convened by Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
