Middle Belt youths launch movement to support Tinubu's re-election bid

A group of youths from Nigeria's Middle Belt region has launched a political movement in support of President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The movement, championed by prominent aviation entrepreneur and political figure Isaac Balami, aims to mobilize support for Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. According to Balami, the decision to support Tinubu was informed by the growing recognition of the Middle Belt in the present administration.

The movement is being carried out in collaboration with the leadership of the City Boy Movement, including Seyi Tinubu, its Director-General Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, and the APC campaign council. Balami described a recent meeting between President Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt elders and leaders as a defining moment for the region. The meeting, which was led by elder statesman General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, saw the youths declare a shift in political allegiance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Middle Belt region had previously been a stronghold for Peter Obi, who enjoyed considerable support among sections of the electorate during the 2023 presidential election. However, Balami said some of the same young people who mobilized behind Obi in 2023 were now prepared to redirect their political support towards Tinubu in 2027. According to Balami, the group will storm all parts of the Middle Belt to mobilize support for President Tinubu's re-election bid.

The announcement is significant given the political support Peter Obi enjoyed among sections of the Middle Belt electorate during the 2023 presidential election. Obi recorded strong performances in Plateau and Nasarawa states, among other areas, while the Labour Party enjoyed considerable support among young voters across the region. Balami said the situation in parts of the Middle Belt and the North-Central region was another consideration informing the emerging political realignment.

The youth leader identified infrastructure development, education, employment, and economic opportunities as important areas where the Middle Belt expects sustained government attention. He said the movement would provide a platform for young people across the region to participate actively in national politics rather than remain spectators in decisions affecting their future. The movement aims to pursue these expectations through political engagement.

The emergence of the Middle Belt Youths for Asiwaju signals an attempt to translate the political engagement of established regional leaders into a broader youth-led mobilisation ahead of the next presidential election. It also introduces another dimension to the 2027 political contest, particularly in a region where Obi enjoyed considerable support among sections of the electorate during the last presidential election.

Other members of the delegation that met with Tinubu included Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, former Chief of Army Staff General Ishaya Bamaiyi, businessman Thomas Etuh, and Dr Poju Bitrus. They visited the President to demonstrate solidarity with his administration and discuss issues affecting the region.

Key points

• The movement aims to mobilize 10,000,000 votes for President Tinubu from the Middle Belt region.
• The decision to support Tinubu was informed by the growing recognition of the Middle Belt in the present administration.
• The movement provides a platform for young people to participate actively in national politics.