Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured northern political leaders that the region has nothing to fear if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secures re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
Shettima said northern Nigeria had benefited from the Tinubu administration’s appointments, infrastructure projects and economic programmes, adding that the region could gain more if the President wins a second term.
The Vice President made the remarks on Monday while receiving a delegation of Arewa for Tinubu (A4T), a northern political support group mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election.
The Vice President called on political leaders and stakeholders across the North to unite behind the administration, arguing that continuity would create further opportunities for development, economic growth and improved welfare.
He maintained that unity among political stakeholders would help accelerate development and improve the living conditions of residents across northern states.
“Let’s unite as a people and work for the development of our region and the progress of our people through the re-election of this administration. We are benefiting and we stand to benefit more from this government in many ways,” Shettima said.
Shettima Cites Agricultural Support for Northern Farmers
To support his argument, Shettima highlighted the Bank of Agriculture’s reported disbursement of N450 billion to 700,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria.
According to the Vice President, approximately 70 per cent of the beneficiaries were from northern Nigeria.
He also pointed to major infrastructure projects being undertaken by the administration, expressing confidence that the government would complete significant projects in different parts of the country.
“The present administration is working towards completing landmark and groundbreaking projects in parts of the country. I can assure you that the president loves the north and the president will work for the north,” he said.
Shettima’s comments form part of efforts by supporters of the President to rally political backing ahead of the 2027 general election.
Arewa for Tinubu Pledges Grassroots Mobilisation
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of Arewa for Asiwaju and former Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, said the organisation would continue working towards securing support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Badaru explained that the group had held several discussions with prominent political figures and planned further engagements to strengthen its mobilisation efforts.
He said the organisation was also working with the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), with particular attention to grassroots political engagement.
According to him, the group intended to focus on contacts across local government areas and electoral wards while coordinating its activities with the broader campaign structure.
Badaru said the organisation was determined to sustain its engagement with political stakeholders and mobilise support for the President ahead of the next election.
Shekarau Reaffirms Group’s Commitment to 2027
The Chairman of the organisation’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, also expressed confidence in the group’s ability to repeat its support for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Shekarau said the group had worked towards Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general election and intended to replicate its efforts in the next electoral cycle.
He also formally invited the Vice President to commission the A4T office complex as part of the organisation’s activities.
Former Governors, Government Officials Attend Meeting
The meeting was attended by several former state governors and senior government officials.
Those present included former Plateau State governors Joshua Dariye and Simon Lalong; former Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame; former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello; former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema; and former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.
Also in attendance were the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, and the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, alongside other government officials and members of the organisation’s Board of Trustees and secretariat.
The meeting underscored the ongoing efforts by pro-Tinubu political groups to consolidate support across northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.