The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Abdul’aziz Yari, has called on Northerners to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Yari said the North should reciprocate Tinubu’s support for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who served two terms in office between 2015 and 2023.
The former Zamfara State governor made the appeal on Monday when he led a delegation from the APC Presidential Campaign Council to the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, in Lagos.
Yari Recalls Tinubu’s Support for Buhari
Yari recalled that Tinubu faced pressure from a group within the APC to contest the 2019 presidential election but chose instead to support Buhari’s re-election.
According to him, Tinubu maintained that it was the North’s turn to produce the president at the time and remained committed to supporting Buhari throughout the election.
Yari said Tinubu’s decision was sufficient reason for Northerners to support his own re-election bid in 2027.
“For us in the north, I think it is time for us to pay Tinubu back for allowing the north to complete its full term. I remember there was a struggle by some power-mongering bloc within the APC that tried to convince Tinubu to contest the presidential election in 2019. He resisted the pressure and said it was the turn of the North.
“Tinubu said as long as Buhari can come out and ask people to vote for him, he would be with Buhari till the end. And that was what Tinubu truly did.
“Today, I don’t think there is an excuse for us from the northern region not to support Tinubu to continue the good job he started and complete his tenure.
“The message from northern Nigeria, where I came from, is that there is nothing to worry about. There are still people of high calibre and character who believe in justice and fairness. We are going to do our best to ensure that Tinubu’s journey continues to the end. He can count on us,” the campaign DG said.
Yari Defends Tinubu’s Administration
Yari also praised Tinubu’s administration, saying the President had undertaken major restructuring of the country despite inheriting what he described as a difficult situation from previous administrations.
The senator representing Zamfara West said the campaign council’s push for Tinubu’s re-election was not based solely on the issue of power rotation.
Rather, he said the council believed Nigerians wanted the President to remain in office and continue with the policies and reforms of his administration.
Oba of Lagos Backs Tinubu
Speaking during the visit, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, expressed his support for Tinubu’s continued stay in office.
The Lagos monarch declared that he believed there would be no change of leadership at the Presidential Villa in the next election cycle.
“One important thing that I know very well is that for the next four or five years, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.”
APC Begins 2027 Campaign Preparations
The APC had earlier commenced preparations for the 2027 general election by constituting its presidential campaign council on August 22, 2026.
Tinubu appointed Yari as Director-General of the council, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was named Secretary.
The latest mobilisation efforts indicate the party’s focus on building support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the North expected to play a significant role in the campaign.
