₦airaland Forum

2027 POLITICS: 2 REASONS SOME NORTHERN STAKEHOLDERS SAY "TINUBU WILL BE THE LAST YORUBA PRESIDENT" — AND WHY THEY SAY NO TO A SECOND TERM

As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 presidential election, a new political slogan is gaining traction in political meetings and on the streets across parts of Northern Nigeria: _“Tinubu will be the last Yoruba president. No re-election in 2027.”

While the North is not a monolith and APC still maintains strong support in several Northern states, a growing bloc of Northern elders, politicians, and civil society voices are laying out 2 reasons behind the pushback.

Here are the 2 reasons they cite:

1. ALLEGED BETRAYAL ON FEDERAL APPOINTMENTS
Some Northern APC chieftains and interest groups say they feel “sidelined” after supporting Tinubu in 2023.

“The North delivered votes in 2023 expecting inclusion,” said a former lawmaker from North West. “But many key federal appointments have gone to south west region. Our people feel used and dumped.”

They argue that for a government to earn a second term, all regions that contributed to the victory must “feel carried along” in governance.


Several Northern groups and commentators have accused the Tinubu administration of concentrating appointments in the South West, particularly among Yoruba appointees. Some have circulated figures online claiming “87% to Yorubas, 13% to other regions.”

The Presidency and APC have denied this, saying appointments cut across all 6 zones and are based on competence and party structure. Official appointment lists published by the government show representation from all regions, though critics argue the balance is not fair.

“Federal character is in the constitution for a reason,” said a civil society leader in Kaduna. “If people perceive imbalance, trust breaks. And trust is what wins elections in 2027.”

2. THE ECONOMY + INSECURITY: “WE DID NOT SEE THE BENEFIT”
The second reason is performance.

Since subsidy removal and naira floatation in 2023, many Northern communities say the hardship has been worse. Food prices, fertilizer costs, transport, and banditry remain top concerns in North West and North Central.

“We gave support in 2023. What did we get back?” a community leader in Katsina asked. “Markets are empty. Farms are not safe. Youths have no jobs. In 2027 we will vote for who can secure us and feed us.”

They argue that a South East president in 2027 will better understand and prioritize the region’s security and poverty challenges.



APC officials reject the narrative. They insist President Tinubu is working for all 6 geopolitical zones and that reforms take time.

“The President is not a Yoruba President. He is President of Nigeria,” an APC chieftain said. “Northern governors, ministers, and traditional rulers are part of this government. 2027 will be about results, not region.”


Political analysts say 2027 will not be decided by region alone. It will be decided by 3 things: hunger, security, and credibility.

“Calling anyone the ‘last’ of any tribe is dangerous talk,” Prof. Emeka Uba warned. “But if government does not deliver, voters will use their PVC to speak. That’s democracy.”

With INEC releasing the 2027 timetable, both APC and the opposition are already mobilizing across the North.


The message from this Northern bloc is clear: “We supported 2023. 2027 is not tinubu turn. No second term for Tinubu.”

Whether that translates to votes will depend on coalition building, turnout, and what Nigerians feel in their pockets by January 2027.

Not only the northerners, but the rest of Nigeria basically.

I've never seen this kind of thing before. A miserable character like Tinubu, who managed to sneak into power with a mere 8 million stolen votes whereas the other 3 major candidates scored a collective 16 million votes, yet common sense did not tell him that the only way he can survive is to run an inclusive, nationalist government. Instead, he quickly settled down to turn everything into a purely yoruba affair, damning the rest of the country. And his people are cheering him on and claiming that it is their turn Who does that?

As if that is not bad enough, he destroyed the economy and raised inflation to unprecedented levels. Why not leave the economy the way it is, so that as you are doing your tribalistic government, the masses can carry on with their lives with apathy. Instead you ar unleashing wickedness side by side with extreme tribalism. Again I ask, who does that?

These people will suffer the consequences for a very long time. Next year is here. We will all be alive to see what will happen. Shebi you think you own government, INEC and the courts. You will quickly have your doubts cleared.

Except Buhari was the Northern last president, because he was one billion times worse than Tinubu, in the two inglorious terms he spent as Nigerian president. He literally dragged Nigeria backwards into this mess
NB: I am not a fan of BAT, neither do I support APC.
What Nigeria needs now is competency, commitment and a leader with responsibility not religious or tribal entitlement that has bedeviled us for long

Iii

vanitybutiwanti:
[b]on numerous occasions i have come across your comments you are always so sure that Tinubu will be removed next year, I beg to disagree. The mistake some of you make, you erroneously assume that the APC does not have supporters. I am not a registered member of APC but recall that APC has over 30 governors and in those states there are LGA Chairmen, councillors, commissioners, heads of state agencies, permanent secretary, traditional rulers, CDC Chairmen, security agents and agencies and other government appointees aligned with the party in the state. All of these positions i have mentioned are politically induced, if Tinubu loses, the implication is that people in those positions in over 30 state will not be returning and will consequently lose their means of livelihood. What Makes you think that they will not fight in their respective states to deliver Tinubu? Remember that this is Nigeria and majority do not even care about politics, yes people make a lot of noise in the media but most times it's just hot air.[/b]

In an APC governed state for example, what do you think it going to cost the governor to mobilize about 5k persons who are aligned with his interest to man and occupy collation centers after voting? Can the so called masses who largely do not care about elections overpower those 5k persons who will be having the support and backing of the state with its attendant paraphernalia?

Lasly sir, this is Nigeria and from the way I see things only death will stop Tinubu from returning next year not unreliable Nigerian masses and empty social media rhetorics.

Your argument is flawed. Even if Tinubu has 36 governors, he will not return to power. And there are three main reasons: (1) The fact that he is not a northerner. (2) his extreme tribalism (3) the abjectly poor performance that is objectively the worst in Nigeria's history since 1960, even worse than what Nigerians suffered during IBB's SAP programme in the late 1980s.

A southerner has to perform extremely well to earn two terms. In spite of the fantastic progress Obasanjo achieved in his first 4 years - stabilizing the economy, debt forgiveness and so forth, he had to cry blood and prostrate for Atiku in order to manage to get his second term. Even at that, Obasanjo was nationalistic and carried everybody along in his first and second terms. Imagine he had displayed tribalism in his first term, appointing only Yorubas into every position? He would not have come back, that's for sure. In any case, Obasanjo had the South East, South South, North Central on lock down. The core north still threw their 12 million votes at Buhari in 2003.

We all know what happened to Goodluck in 2015, no need to discuss that. After all, he had plenty PDP governors across the north. What did they do for him?

A South Westerner like Tinubu who in his first term, destroyed the economy from the very first day he was sworn in, and proceeded to arrogantly appoint only Yorubas into every important position, and then carry on as if his Yorubas are the majority tribe in Nigeria, is actually morbidly funny.

The entire freaking country can't stand this horrible Tinubu: he has alienated the South East, he has alienated the South South and Middle Belt, and of course he has alienated the core north that brought him to power. Where exactly is the support cushion that can allow him rig elections?

Look, I am not allowed to say what is waiting for him next year if he tries rubbish, because it will be very ugly. All I can say is that God will keep us alive. I would be surprised if he even has the liver toa actually contest the election. And then after that, we will see the horror movie that will unfold before our eyes. Enough said.

Hedonisco:
Your argument is flawed. Even if Tinubu has 36 governors, he will not return to power. And there are three main reasons: (1) The fact that he is not a northerner. (2) his extreme tribalism (3) the abjectly poor performance that is objectively the worst in Nigeria's history since 1960, even worse than what Nigerians suffered during IBB's SAP programme in the late 1980s.

A southerner has to perform extremely well to earn two terms. In spite of the fantastic progress Obasanjo achieved in his first 4 years - stabilizing the economy, debt forgiveness and so forth, he had to cry blood and prostrate for Atiku in order to manage to get his second term. Even at that, Obasanjo was nationalistic and carried everybody along in his first and second terms. Imagine he had displayed tribalism in his first term, appointing only Yorubas into every position? He would not have come back, that's for sure. In any case, Obasanjo had the South East, South South, North Central on lock down. The core north still threw their 12 million votes at Buhari in 2003.

We all know what happened to Goodluck in 2015, no need to discuss that. After all, he had plenty PDP governors across the north. What did they do for him?

A South Westerner like Tinubu who in his first term, destroyed the economy from the very first day he was sworn in, and proceeded to arrogantly appoint only Yorubas into every important position, and then carry on as if his Yorubas are the majority tribe in Nigeria, is actually morbidly funny.

The entire freaking country can't stand this horrible Tinubu: he has alienated the South East, he has alienated the South South and Middle Belt, and of course he has alienated the core north that brought him to power. Where exactly is the support cushion that can allow him rig elections?

Look, I am not allowed to say what is waiting for him next year if he tries rubbish, because it will be very ugly. All I can say is that God will keep us alive. I would be surprised if he even has the liver toa actually contest the election. And then after that, we will see the horror movie that will unfold before our eyes. Enough said.

I will screenshot this your comment and paste it on your face as soon as the results of the next year election is announced.

People with logic are telling you what's up, you are still allowing emotions to override your thinking.

Godfullsam:
I will screenshot this your comment and paste it on your face as soon as the results of the next year election is announced.

People with logic are telling you what's up, you are still allowing emotions to override your thinking.

Take your own advice Mr man. You wouldn't recognize 'logic' even if it were your own shadow. God will keep us all alive, that's all I can say. No time for silly arguments.

....

Hedonisco:
Take your own advise Mr man. You wouldn't recognize 'logic' even if it were your own shadow. God will keep us all alive, that's all I can say. No time for silly arguments.

I didn't mention anything like 'advice' in my comment.

No one can advise a man who has decided to decieve himself.

Heading back to opposition for another 50 years.

The North can do their worse, we Omoluabis are still wiser than them...


They should cry harder... 😅

vanitybutiwanti:
In response to the first point you raised, are you assuming that APC governors in the North will simply fold their arms and watch a largely uneducated electorate vote against their preferred candidates without doing everything within their power to influence the outcome? You also have to consider the implications of APC losing those states, especially since the governorship elections are only two weeks after the presidential election. Do you really think those governors would risk losing both levels of power? Mind you 2031 is also assumed to be the turn of the north and mostvof them are also interested in being presidents, Ministers, Ambassadors and senators. If you assume that they will do business with Atiku, what does Atiku have to offer them that Tinubu cant possibly provide?

On your second point about appointments, how many appointments can a president realistically make in one administration? Buhari pursued a similarly parochial approach in making appointments, yet his core supporters still voted overwhelmingly for him. Also, remember that governors today have significantly more financial autonomy than before. They receive more money than ever, and many are able to spend, move, and even launder funds with little fear of agencies like the EFCC or ICPC. My point is that politics is driven by far more than just federal appointments.

Regarding Obasanjo kneeling to appeal to Atiku, the circumstances were entirely different. It is widely known that Atiku played a significant role in financing Obasanjo's 1999 presidential campaign after his release from prison. That explains why Atiku enjoyed enormous influence, respect, and responsibility in the Obasanjo administration. In fact, Atiku commanded the loyalty of many PDP governors and even some politicians outside the PDP often more than the president himself, because of the political influence he wielded within both the party and the government. Tinubu's situation is completely different. Shettima did not bankroll Tinubu's rise, and Tinubu is widely regarded as a hands-on leader who maintains firm control over virtually every aspect of his administration.

As for Goodluck Jonathan, he is from my part of the country, and his defeat in 2015 had unique circumstances. There was a widespread belief that he was only expected to complete Yar'Adua's tenure and serve one additional term. On top of that, before the election, more than seven governors had already defected from the PDP, largely because of what they perceived as Jonathan's high-handedness. Today, how many northern or southern APC governors have left the party? TINUBU also appointed an INEC chairman who is a kinsman, RECs who are recommended by inner circle members and he has also learnt from Jonathan that the mob is always fickle

I don't know where you're from, but here in Rivers State, despite all the noise from the usual critics, most of the political heavyweights and traditional rulers are aligned with Tinubu. Just last week, while reviewing government expenditure data on a public platform, I noticed that Ateke Tom has reportedly been receiving over 280 million monthly from the Federal Government. Asari is also doing business with the Federal Government. A few weeks ago, Tompolo launched his neighbourhood-to-neighbourhood campaign structure for Tinubu, and many prominent traditional rulers from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and even parts of the South-West attended. Keep in mind that Tompolo reportedly benefits from contracts linked to the protection of crude oil and is allegedly being paid with100,000 barrels of oil per day, and he would likely have spent substantial resources to assemble people of that calibre for the event.

I still maintain that only something extraordinary, such as death, would prevent him from seeking re-election. I also heard that he has allegedly eamarked about 2 trillion personally for 2027. Shettima is also considerd to have his own war chest, while governors collectively have about 800b for 2o27. In my view, Nigerians have historically found it difficult to sustain coordinated political pressure strong enough to unseat an incumbent administration. If there were truly overwhelming public resolve to remove Tinubu, it likely would have manifested much earlier rather than being postponed until the election year. Ultimately, many Nigerians prioritise stability and day-to-day survival, even when they are dissatisfied with prevailing economic conditions.

I now realise that we actually agree on something.

If it will take something extraordinary to get rid of that monster they call BAT in 2027, then it will have to take something extraordinary.

God will keep us all alive to see what happens.

rejoice4eva:
Except Buhari was the Northern last president, because he was one billion times worse than Tinubu, in the two inglorious terms he spent as Nigerian president. He literally dragged Nigeria backwards into this mess
NB: I am not a fan of BAT, neither do I support APC.
What Nigeria needs now is competency, commitment and a leader with responsibility not religious or tribal entitlement that has bedeviled us for long

Tarrr hold it right there! .

This level of senseless writeup can only come from Apc.

How can a normal human being say BUBU same darling bubu is worse than Tpain? ?

Tpain is the GOAT FAILURE this Country has ever seen 75x worse than bubu all way round Bubu best the incompetent vegetables called tpain.

21lucky:
Tinubu have failed Nigerians.

Tinubu have turn federal government into Yoruba government because of his tribalism towards igbos and other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Frustration is real .

Omoslim26:
Tarrr hold it right there! .

This level of senseless writeup can only come from Apc.

How can a normal human being say BUBU same darling bubu is worse than Tpain? ?

Tpain is the GOAT FAILURE this Country has ever seen 75x worse than bubu all way round Bubu best the incompetent vegetables called tpain.

Next time u will not sell your votes.