Despite being instrumental in helping former President Muhammadu Buhari come to power in 2015, some northern political figures now feel betrayed by President Bola Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
They accuse him of sidelining northern politicians who were crucial to his own rise to power and claim his administration has neglected the interests of the North.
There is growing discontent among northern political leaders and groups regarding Tinubu’s administration. Critics cite a range of issues, from what they perceive as favoritism towards his own ethnic group to dissatisfaction with his handling of governance and security. They argue that Tinubu’s appointments to key government positions have been overly focused on the Yoruba, sidelining other ethnic groups.
Northern leaders point out that, for the first time since Nigeria’s independence, one ethnic group – the Yoruba – occupies several significant positions simultaneously: President, Petroleum Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Central Bank Governor, and other key roles in security, justice, and economic sectors. This, they argue, is unprecedented and unfairly concentrated.
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), a key socio-political group, is among those leading the opposition against Tinubu’s potential re-election. Professor Usman Yusuf, a member of the NEF, expressed regret over the North’s support for Tinubu in the 2023 elections. He described Tinubu’s administration as characterized by “deception, destitution, and hopelessness,” lamenting that the promise of “Renewed Hope” has turned into widespread despair.
NEF spokesman Abdulaziz Sulaiman echoed these sentiments, stating that supporting Tinubu in 2023 was a mistake that the North would not repeat in 2027. He emphasized the need for a leader who can unify Nigeria and act in the best interests of all its citizens.
The North-East Governors’ Forum has also voiced frustration, accusing Tinubu’s administration of neglecting the region, particularly in the allocation of capital projects. Borno State Governor and forum chairman, Babagana Zulum, pointed to ongoing power outages and the neglect of critical infrastructure projects, such as road and rail connections between the South-East and North-East.
Given the North’s significant influence in Nigerian elections, these growing discontents pose a serious challenge to Tinubu’s political future. The region’s leaders are aware of their electoral power and are starting to realign politically, as seen in recent meetings and strategic visits.
Notably, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, New Nigeria People’s Party presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, and other northern leaders have been meeting, suggesting preparations for the 2027 elections. Although el-Rufai has not openly criticized Tinubu, his son, Bashir, has warned that political power can shift, signaling the simmering discontent within northern political circles.
The North’s increasing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s leadership could significantly shape Nigeria’s political landscape leading up to the next election cycle.