2027: Northern Group Meets Yilwatda, Pledges to Triple Northern Votes for Tinubu

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Arewa For Asiwaju (A4A) Group, has stated its resolve to mobilise voters across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to deliver massive votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The group made the declaration yesterday during a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Leader of the delegation and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the group, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, said the group was put together to mobilise the teeming population in the north, which has the largest voting bloc in the country.

He added that the group was not about north-south division but about the progress of Nigeria and success of the APC, with specific focus on ensuring that northern votes were not only repeated but more than tripled compared to previous elections.

“We have itemised the successes and places of successes in previous elections. We have identified our weak areas and target flashpoints that led to low turnout. The apathy is across the country, from 1999 to date turnout has been going down,” he said.

Shekarau explained that the group, has established 20 directorates with specific tasks, compiled a catalogue of President Tinubu’s achievements, projects and programmes across the north which are largely unknown, and intends to expose them to change the narrative that Tinubu has neglected the north.

He disclosed that the group has appointed coordinators at state, local government and ward levels, established a functional secretariat as its engine room, and that the secretariat would be commissioned on Saturday with Vice President Kashim Shettima expected as special guest.

He formally invited the APC National Chairman to the commissioning.

Deputy Chairman of the BOT and former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, described the group as the reserves of the APC.

How words: “In the army, when you retire as a general, you are placed on reserve. This is the reserve coming to support you. Anywhere we see weakness, the reserves will come in with experience. Without the north, nobody can win elections in Nigeria.”

He said the group comprises former governors, former Senate Presidents, former Speakers, serving ministers and senators.

Responding, Yilwatda, commended the group for its inclusiveness and structure, adding that the caliber of persons in the group would give the north a strong voice in support of President Tinubu.

“Anybody from the north, who sees these people feels belonged. The inclusivity you brought to this group is incredible – religious balance, state and regional balance,” Yilwatda said.

He dismissed claims that Tinubu has done nothing in the north, listing massive road projects.

Yilwatda assured the group that the party would work in partnership with it and integrate its structure into the APC election planning.

“We as a party are with you, we stand with you, we support you to ensure as many votes as possible from the northern part of Nigeria. We need to win not just the presidential, but National Assembly, governorship and House of Assembly elections,” he said.