Politics
2027: Former Northern National Assembly Members split over Tinubu’s re-election
Former federal lawmakers from northern Nigeria are divided over President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, following an endorsement by the Northern Caucus Forum of the 9th National Assembly.
The caucus, in a communiqué at the end of a dialogue session, convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, threw its weight behind Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing him as a national leader with a demonstrated commitment to equitable development across all regions of Nigeria.
The dialogue session was part of the ongoing nationwide consultations by the forum aimed at promoting the second-term bid of President Tinubu, whose first tenure comes to an end on May 29, 2027.
During the meeting, Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged the forum to queue behind Tinubu’s administration and second-term ambition, stressing that the former Lagos State governor remained the best choice to steer the country on the path of peace and prosperity.
“We believe in equity, fairness, and political stability. It is in the best interest of the North and of Nigeria as a whole that the South completes its turn in the power rotation. We, therefore, endorse the continuation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership beyond 2027,” the communiqué stated.
In his contribution, the Chairman of the National Forum of Former Legislators, Nnanna Igbokwe, commended the Northern Caucus for what he described as a bold and patriotic stand.
“This resolution by the Northern Caucus is a significant statement of statesmanship. It shows leadership that transcends personal or regional interest. I am confident that more zones will follow this example in the spirit of unity and continuity,” Igbokwe said.
However, the endorsement has been rejected by another group of former northern ex-legislators, who described the meeting and its outcome as politically motivated and unrepresentative of the region’s true sentiment.
In a statement titled “We Can’t All Be Commodified,” the opposing ex-lawmakers, under the aegis of Concerned Former Members of the House of Representatives, Northern Nigeria, said the meeting was a staged political show with no mandate to speak for all northern ex-lawmakers.
The statement was jointly signed by Zakari Mohammed, Aminu Shagari, Tom Zakari, and Mohammed Musa Soba.
Confirming the statement on Saturday, Mohammed said the Chanchangi group was deceived into endorsing Tinubu for a second term.
“We categorically state that this group does not speak for all former northern legislators, and the positions outlined in their communiqué are neither representative nor reflective of the current sentiments across northern Nigeria. At best, this forum is a political front posing as a neutral body, and should have boldly declared themselves supporters of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
“While they indulge in coordinated praise and political posturing, the true state of northern Nigeria is one of pain, poverty, and peril. Under the current administration, poverty has intensified, leaving millions of northern families in worsening economic hardship,” the statement read.
They further rejected any leadership claims by Chanchangi, labelling his actions self-serving and lacking legitimacy.
“We wish to clearly disassociate ourselves from Hon. Rufai Chanchangi and his co-travellers who signed the communiqué in question. They are not our spokesmen, and do not have the moral or constitutional mandate to speak on behalf of all former northern legislators. If the charade they staged in Kaduna—under the guise of a foundation associated with the revered late Sardauna of Sokoto—is their basis for legitimacy, then let it be known that such fraudulent appropriation of legacy and symbolism will never stand.
“This communique is nothing but a classic hatchet job, a desperate effort by a few to sanitise the failings of the present administration for personal favours, while the broader northern population bleeds silently.
“Let it be known: we will not be co-opted into political theatre while our people suffer. We refuse to endorse a failing system that continues to deepen the wounds of the North and the nation as a whole.
“The North deserves honesty, development, and bold leadership—not choreographed communiques masking hunger and insecurity,” the statement added.
The split in the ranks of the northern ex-lawmakers comes days after northern leaders gathered in Kaduna on Tuesday to assess the performance of President Tinubu’s administration two years after assuming office.
The meeting, held at the Arewa House, had the theme: “Assessing electoral promises: fostering government-citizens engagement for national unity.”
The meeting, which drew participants from across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, laid bare deep divisions within the region over claims of marginalisation and the performance of the Federal Government.
While some stakeholders lauded Tinubu’s developmental strides and appointments in the North, others voiced strong concerns over what they described as growing neglect, insecurity, and economic exclusion under his watch.
The Thursday meeting was believed to be another strategy by the Presidency to neutralise the perceived resentment of many northerners against Tinubu and wither the strength of opposition in the region.
A section of the northern leaders, including former Kano and Jigawa State governors, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sule Lamido, respectively, believed that the North had received less attention from Tinubu’s administration.
Kwankwaso, a few days ago at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment in Kano, accused Tinubu’s administration of favouring the South at the expense of the North — an allegation the Presidency swiftly countered.
The newly formed African Democratic Congress-led coalition of opposition leaders is populated with northern political bigwigs, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared that there will be no political coalition in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that he and his supporters are fully committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor also assured the ruling party of victory across all elective positions in the state, warning against any political arrangement capable of undermining the party’s unity and electoral prospects.
Nwifuru made the declaration on Saturday at Okpara Square, Enugu, where he joined Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the flag-off of an empowerment programme for more than 5,000 women across the South-East.
The First Lady led the Women Mobilisation Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the event, which was organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Speaking at the gathering, Nwifuru said the party’s immediate priority was to ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the success of all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
“Our project is how to deliver our President, and that is our project for now.
“The APC is the only party that has an open manifesto. We can discuss our manifesto with you, unlike other political parties.
“We don’t have a coalition; we are for all APC candidates,” the governor declared.
He said the APC had put necessary arrangements in place to secure victory in the forthcoming elections, stressing that the party remained united and determined to achieve its political objectives.
According to him, the party would not entertain political arrangements that could weaken its collective strength or distract members from its electoral mission.
The programme, themed “One Region, One Vision: Empowered for Progress,” attracted women and political stakeholders from across the South-East, with the aim of strengthening mobilisation and support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In her remarks, the First Lady said the beneficiaries were women who had remained committed to the APC and consistently supported the party’s interests across the region.
She explained that the empowerment initiative was being implemented through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, was also among dignitaries who attended the event.
The Ebonyi governor is amongst APC governors said to be in the bad books of the FCT minister with the governor alleging plots to unsit him in the 2027 polls.
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned residents against what it described as an alleged campaign of alarmism and disinformation by the New Democratic Congress (NDC), urging them to remain vigilant against attempts to create distrust and political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC Campaign Council’s Spokesperson and Director of Public Communications, Steve Oruruo, made the call in a statement titled, “Unmasking the Alarmism of NDC: A Clarion Call for Enugu’s Extra Vigilance.”
In the statement, Oruruo accused the opposition party of spreading misleading allegations against the management of Amadeo Event Centre and the Enugu State Government over the controversy surrounding the proposed NDC town hall meeting involving its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
He traced the disagreement to an alleged breach of Clause 17 of a private agreement between the event centre’s management and Dr Sabastine Chuks Eze, whom he accused of presenting himself as the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners.
According to Oruruo, the clause empowered the management to suspend any activity, meeting or event that failed to comply with the terms of the agreement.
He alleged that the disagreement was subsequently politicised, with the NDC accusing the state government of interfering with its proposed event.
The APC spokesperson said the management of Amadeo Event Centre had issued a rejoinder explaining its position, accusing the NDC and its Enugu East Senatorial candidate, Mrs Ada Ogbu, of unfairly linking the state government to the dispute.
He questioned the basis for dragging the government into the controversy, asking whether the standards of integrity and morality preached by the NDC’s presidential candidate were reflected in the conduct of the party’s members in Enugu.
Oruruo further accused the opposition of attempting to build a misleading narrative around the incident, warning residents against being drawn into what he described as political theatrics.
“We are condemned to view this latest slant from the precincts of a smokescreen, an unholy prelude and a failed alibi to validate future theatricals and nuisance targeting unsuspecting Enugu voters,” he said.
He urged residents to exercise caution in their consumption of political information on social media, noting that although the platforms provide opportunities for public expression, they can also be exploited to spread misinformation.
“Ndi-Enugu must therefore prepare to rise above such barefaced antics, gimmicks and shenanigans from the pit of hell,” he added.
Describing the NDC’s political presence in Enugu as insignificant, Oruruo claimed that the party had struggled to establish a meaningful foothold in the state.
“Enugu NDC has failed on arrival. It is almost non-existent in Enugu and perhaps gains its only infinitesimal traction whenever the state government or the name of our erudite Governor is mentioned in its tales of woes,” he stated.
He maintained that the 2027 general elections should be determined by issues, policy ideas and the ability of candidates to deliver on their promises rather than what he described as smear campaigns and inflammatory political statements.
“Ndi-Enugu, the 2027 Elections are about issues, ideas and the definitive capacity to deliver. Therefore, no amount of smear politics, incendiary comments, political calumny, or media frenzy can rewrite Dr Peter Mbah’s glowing credentials, deeply entrenched in the hearts of our electorate, who are watching in pleasant shock as the dividends of democracy are being positively re-imagined and re-engineered in their favour,” Oruruo stated.
He urged the people of Enugu State to critically examine political claims and remain vigilant against misinformation, while insisting that the state government had no involvement in the disagreement between the event centre and the organisers.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah, during which he will offer prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
The Presidency announced the trip in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the visit will provide the President with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion as he seeks divine intervention in the affairs of the country.
“While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people,” Onanuga stated.
The President’s planned pilgrimage comes amid mounting expectations from Nigerians for concrete government interventions to address prevailing economic hardship, insecurity and other challenges confronting the nation.
Before departing Abuja, Tinubu is expected to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force to strengthen its operations at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The Presidency, however, did not provide further details on the newly acquired equipment or its operational capabilities.
Onanuga disclosed that the President would return to Nigeria next week after completing the religious exercise.
No specific date was given for his return, while the statement was also silent on whether he would undertake other official engagements during his stay in Saudi Arabia.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has cautioned opposition political figures against making defamatory statements, dismissing allegations that he ordered a private facility to deny a political party access for its proposed town hall meeting.
The governor issued the warning while reacting to a viral social media video alleging that he personally directed the management of the facility not to host the opposition party’s event.
In a statement, Mbah described the allegation as baseless and a deliberate attempt to misrepresent his administration.
“My attention has just been drawn to a video circulating on some social media platforms, alleging that I gave an order denying a political party use of a private facility for their townhall event. This is preposterous and utter falsehood, because I did not,” he stated.
The governor criticised what he described as the opposition’s desperate attempt to attract public attention through unfounded allegations.
“This is shameful and reveals a desperate pattern adopted by the opposition to attract attention,” he added.
Mbah maintained that while democracy guarantees freedom of expression, such freedom should not be misconstrued as an unrestricted licence to malign or defame others.
“There’s no doubt that democracy guarantees freedom of expression. It should be noted, however, that it does not grant anyone the right to defamation,” he warned.
He further reminded political actors that democratic institutions provide legitimate avenues for seeking redress whenever they feel aggrieved, rather than resorting to what he described as defamatory accusations.
“Democracy also offers avenues to seek redress. So, let it be known that there are redlines that should never be crossed,” the governor declared.
Mbah reiterated that he had no involvement in the alleged denial of the facility, distancing himself from claims linking his administration to the controversy.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC has described as false narrative the trending story that the trio of Presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi, Sen Victor Umeh and Sen Tony Nwoye are currently at daggers drawn following the alleged doctoring of the list of candidates for the 2027 general election in Anambra North Senatorial District.
It is being alleged that the doctoring was executed by Sen Tony Nwoye representing the Senatorial District which resulted in the withdrawal of names of nominees of Nwoye for the Presidential Campaign Council of the party .
Dismissing this narrative, the Anambra state Chairman of the NDC , Hon Ikem Uzoezie stated that the report is not only fales but unfounded contending that it is a recipe for those who are apprehensive of failure in the coming election.
“One would have chosen to keep quiet over this issue but it is important to that we as a party make the following clarifications;
“There is no such thing in our great party the NDC and there can never be and the party is more focused in executing the 2027 general elections and we do not need to be distracted by the machinations of the opposition who are apparently awear of the obvious fact that they have lost the election ”
Uzoezie described the party as one that has respect for rules and guidelines in respect of the the nomination of candidates and we indeed did the needful which can be verified at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“For those who have chosen name dropping and name calling as a trade, we urge them to desist from such unlawful act and the party would not hastate to take appropriate actions in that regard”
Uzoezie advised party faithfuls not to allow themselves to be used as a tool in distabizing the party urging them to remain focused.
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