The six All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in Nigeria's North-central region have publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for re-election in 2027. This endorsement was announced at a rally in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, attended by APC leaders and political stakeholders from the region. The event was a significant show of support for the president's re-election bid.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, proposed Mr. Tinubu as the region's sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election. He emphasized that the decision was made with the authority of the congregation and urged stakeholders to respect the power-rotation arrangement between northern and southern Nigeria. This arrangement, reached in Kaduna in 1999, aims to promote political balance between the two regions.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who chairs the North-central Governors' Forum, seconded Mr. Akume's proposal on behalf of the APC governors in the region. Mr. Sule cited improvements in oil production, foreign reserves, and infrastructure development under the Tinubu administration as reasons for supporting the president's re-election. He also mentioned the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and major infrastructure projects as key achievements.
The North-central region, comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states, along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is currently under the governance of APC governors. The region's endorsement of Mr. Tinubu's re-election bid is seen as a significant boost to his campaign. The president's administration has implemented policies aimed at improving the economy and infrastructure.
Mr. Akume defended the Tinubu administration's policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, increased allocations to state and local governments, and investments in infrastructure and education. He described the subsidy removal as a decision that required political courage and warned against campaign promises to reverse it without considering the economic implications.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, also appealed for support for Mr. Tinubu's re-election bid. Mr. Yilwatda urged party members to sustain their support for the APC, while the First Lady highlighted the administration's commitment to national security, unity, and economic prosperity. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reaffirmed the APC's commitment to mobilizing support for the president.
The endorsement by the North-central state governors comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, in which Mr. Tinubu is expected to seek a second term. The governors pledged to work for the re-election of Mr. Tinubu and Mr. Shettima, as well as the election of APC candidates across other levels of government.
Key points
- The six APC governors in Nigeria's North-central region have endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for re-election in 2027.
- The endorsement was announced at a rally in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, attended by APC leaders and political stakeholders from the region.
- The president's administration has implemented policies aimed at improving the economy and infrastructure, which were cited as reasons for supporting his re-election.
