A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has declared that Northern Nigeria’s political commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections is “sacrosanct and non-negotiable”, expressing confidence that the region will deliver substantial votes for the president’s re-election.
Kwankwaso said the North would reciprocate what he described as Tinubu’s development interventions in the region by supporting his second-term ambition at the ballot box.
He made the declaration on the sidelines of the inauguration of Arewa4Asiwaju in Abuja, where Northern political stakeholders gathered to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to the APC chieftain, the administration has demonstrated its commitment to addressing infrastructure deficits in Northern Nigeria through projects designed to improve transportation, strengthen economic connectivity and stimulate commercial activities.
He cited the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, railway projects, the proposed Abuja-Kano Super Highway and Kano’s Urban Wujuwuju Road as examples of interventions he believes could improve economic opportunities across the region.
“Tinubu has done his best for the North, and we shall replicate the gesture through massive voting in 2027. The covenant of the North with our beloved President is sacrosanct and, in effect, non-negotiable,” Kwankwaso declared.
His remarks reflect efforts by supporters of the president to consolidate political backing across Northern Nigeria, a region whose electoral strength makes it a significant factor in the contest for the presidency.
However, Kwankwaso’s prediction of widespread Northern support represents his political assessment and does not establish how voters across the region will ultimately vote in 2027.
APC chieftain cites infrastructure projects
Kwankwaso argued that the infrastructure projects associated with the Tinubu administration could help address longstanding development challenges in Northern Nigeria by improving connectivity and creating opportunities for businesses and communities.
He specifically highlighted the AKK gas pipeline, which is intended to transport natural gas from the Ajaokuta area through Kaduna to Kano, as well as railway developments and the proposed Abuja-Kano Super Highway.
According to him, such projects could improve the movement of people and goods, strengthen regional trade and encourage economic activities across different parts of the North.
He also referenced Kano’s Urban Wujuwuju Road among the projects he cited as evidence of the administration’s attention to infrastructure development.
The APC chieftain maintained that the region’s response to these interventions should be reflected in its electoral choices in the next general election.
His argument links political support for Tinubu to the perceived benefits of government infrastructure spending, with the expectation that development initiatives will influence voters’ decisions.
The actual impact of these projects, however, will depend on their implementation, completion, accessibility and measurable benefits to residents and businesses.
‘The North will roar again’ in 2027
Kwankwaso also invoked what he described as the North’s tradition of honouring political commitments, insisting that regional stakeholders would remain faithful to their understanding with the president.
“The North is known for fulfilling its covenant, and we shall live up to expectations again. The President should be rest assured that 2027 is his year, and the North will roar again,” he said.
The statement signals confidence among some APC supporters that Tinubu can secure substantial electoral backing in Northern Nigeria during the next presidential election.
However, the region is politically diverse, comprising voters with different party affiliations, policy preferences and local interests. The outcome of the election will therefore depend on several factors, including candidates’ campaigns, economic conditions, security, governance records and the ability of political parties to mobilise voters.
Kwankwaso’s comments nevertheless underline the importance attached to regional political mobilisation by supporters of the president as preparations for 2027 gather momentum.
Arewa4Asiwaju inauguration attracts political stakeholders
The inauguration of Arewa4Asiwaju brought together several Northern political figures, including the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, alongside former governors, ministers, presidential advisers and other influential stakeholders.
The gathering provided a platform for supporters of Tinubu to discuss political mobilisation and strengthen structures intended to promote his re-election campaign across Northern Nigeria.
Kwankwaso said the initiative would help consolidate support for the president, bring regional stakeholders together around the administration’s development agenda and strengthen the political networks expected to drive the campaign.
The group’s inauguration forms part of the wider political activity taking place ahead of the 2027 elections, as supporters of prospective candidates establish or reinforce platforms to mobilise voters and promote their preferred candidates.
For the APC, maintaining support across the North will be an important element of its strategy as the party seeks another presidential mandate for Tinubu.
Development and electoral support
Kwankwaso’s declaration highlights the connection that some APC supporters are drawing between infrastructure development and political loyalty ahead of the next election.
By citing projects in transportation, energy and road construction, he argued that the administration’s interventions should translate into electoral support from Northern voters.
His position also places expectations on the government to demonstrate tangible progress on the projects referenced, particularly in terms of delivery, economic impact and improvements in residents’ daily lives.
While political endorsements and mobilisation initiatives can help parties organise their campaigns, electoral outcomes ultimately depend on voters’ decisions at the polls.
As the 2027 general election approaches, the APC and other political parties are expected to intensify efforts to win support across the country, with infrastructure, economic hardship, security and governance likely to feature prominently in the campaign.
For now, Kwankwaso has expressed confidence that Northern Nigeria will deliver substantial votes for Tinubu. Whether that prediction translates into electoral reality will become clearer as the campaign develops and voters assess the administration’s record alongside the alternatives offered by opposition parties.
