Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex-Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed claims that Northern voters may abandon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, describing such assumptions as politically misguided and detached from reality.
‘North Will Vote Tinubu Again’
Ganduje spoke in Abuja on Friday while receiving a delegation of Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders from the region’s 19 states, who also decorated him as patron of their forum.
He insisted that President Tinubu remains the best candidate from the South to govern Nigeria beyond 2027.
“Those who are thinking or nursing the idea that the North will vote for another candidate other than Asiwaju in 2027 are making a big mistake,” Ganduje said.
Power Rotation Agreement Still Stands
According to Ganduje, there was a long-standing political understanding — even before the emergence of late President Muhammadu Buhari — that power would rotate to the South after eight years.
“This is the first time Nigeria is lucky to have a politician as President,” he said. “His constituency is politics. His upbringing is politics. He believes in the unity of this country and even went into exile so democracy could survive.”
“There is no better person to be elected in 2027 than Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Defending Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Ganduje defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a bold decision previous governments avoided.
“Every candidate in 2023 promised to remove fuel subsidy. Even the previous government promised but could not do it,” he said.
“Asiwaju took that bold step, and today governors across party lines are receiving more funds for development. He didn’t do it for APC governors; he did it for Nigeria.”
Northern Youths Pledge Support
The former APC chairman praised the Northern youth leaders for pledging to mobilise votes and raise funds for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
“There is no greater commitment than contributing your money, your time, your energy and your intellect to ensure the re-election of Asiwaju,” Ganduje said.
Earlier, the group’s National Leader, Murtala Gamji, said Northern youths would mobilise massively for Tinubu in 2027.
“Some people are saying the North will not vote for Asiwaju. That is a lie,” Gamji declared. “Nobody has supported Northern youths like Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
APC Chieftain Warns Against Christian-Christian Ticket
Meanwhile, APC chieftain Farouk Aliyu warned that a Christian-Christian presidential ticket could alienate Muslim voters in the North.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS’ ‘The Morning Show’, Aliyu said demographic realities must guide party strategy.
“In the North, there is no doubt that Muslims are in the majority,” he said. “If you drop a Muslim for a Christian in the North, you will certainly have a problem.”
Muslim-Muslim Ticket Still Viable – Aliyu
Aliyu argued that controversies surrounding the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 have largely faded, insisting that the Tinubu administration has not marginalised Christians.
“This government has nothing on the ground to show that it is favouring Muslims over Christians,” he said. “The Muslim-Muslim ticket can still fly.”
He ruled out Northern support for a Christian-Christian combination, stressing that it would completely alienate Muslim voters in the region.
Political Signals Ahead of 2027
The comments highlight growing internal discussions within the APC ahead of 2027, particularly around zoning, religious balance and Northern voter sentiment — even as party leaders insist President Tinubu retains strong support across the North.
