2027: APC Northern youths threaten to dump Tinubu, give reasons

Some northern youth groups in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have threatened to withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election if their concerns over alleged marginalisation are not addressed.

The warning followed a meeting between the North-West APC Youth Stakeholders Forum, led by its Coordinating Chairman, Bashir Ruma, and the Arewa Democratic Youth Stakeholders Forum.

In a statement signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Salawudeen Shaibu Planner, the group claimed that northern youths have been excluded from important political appointments, youth leadership positions and decision-making within the APC and the Federal Government.

The group said it would begin mobilising APC support groups across the North to oppose what it described as unfair treatment and sectional politics.

It also announced Haruna Sardauna as coordinator for the North-East and Idiriss Jibrin as coordinator for the North-Central, with the responsibility of engaging APC support groups and stakeholders in their regions.

According to the forum, many APC support group leaders are ready to join a campaign against what they described as tribal discrimination. They insisted that political opportunities should be open to all young Nigerians, regardless of where they come from.

The group said it had directed 1,378 registered APC support group leaders across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to begin consultations on whether to withdraw support for Tinubu’s second-term bid if their complaints are ignored.

A major part of the group’s allegations was directed at Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son. The forum accused him of influencing youth political appointments and leadership positions in ways that favour people from the South-West, especially the Yoruba ethnic group.

The forum claimed that this has left many northern youths feeling excluded. It also questioned the support allegedly given to some South-West based youth groups while northern-led APC support groups were allegedly overlooked.

The group specifically mentioned the Ministry of Youth Development, the APC youth leadership structure, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and other youth organisations as areas where it believes the imbalance exists.

It also alleged that the City Boy Movement and the Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Movement have received special recognition because of their links to Seyi Tinubu. According to the forum, northern support groups have been pressured to work with these organisations.

The forum described the situation as unfair and called on APC leaders to ensure equal treatment for all support groups across the country.

It argued that northern voters played a major role in Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election and deserve equal political opportunities and representation.

Despite its criticism, the group urged northern youths to remain peaceful while demanding fair treatment. Bashir Ruma said the goal is to strengthen democracy by ensuring every region has a voice in youth affairs.

The forum warned that if the concerns of northern youths are ignored, it could affect APC unity, grassroots mobilisation and President Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 election.

It called on the APC leadership and President Tinubu to address the issues by ensuring political appointments and opportunities reflect Nigeria’s regional diversity.

As of the time this report was filed, the Presidency, the APC national leadership and Seyi Tinubu had not responded to the allegations.