APC campaign chief says northern Nigeria fully backs Tinubu for 2027 election

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign launch in Kaduna on 24 October 2026, Abdulaziz Yari, the director-general of the party's Presidential Campaign Council, delivered remarks to President Bola Tinubu. Yari asserted that the entire northern establishment – including emirs, imams, traditional rulers and influential scholars – had rallied behind Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the scheduled 2027 general election. He indicated that the support was total, describing the northern region as “101 percent” behind the president and promising that the pledge would be evident when voters go to the polls in January 2027.

The remarks were made in the presence of all northern governors, underscoring the political weight of the gathering. Yari highlighted the administration’s record over the past three years, pointing to changes in the exchange rate, the removal of fuel subsidies, improvements in foreign reserves and a dramatic rise in the trade balance as proof of economic turnaround. He also referenced achievements in infrastructure, health, education, human‑capital development and social‑welfare programmes such as transparent cash transfers and student loans, stating that these would form the core of the APC’s campaign message.

Background

The All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s ruling party, is preparing for the 2027 general election, three years after President Tinubu assumed office. Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, leads the party’s presidential campaign council. Yari characterized the Kaduna flag-off event as the spiritual centre of politics in Northern Nigeria, an occasion that gathered the president, northern governors, and numerous traditional and religious leaders. Throughout his address, Yari reiterated the party’s strategy of mobilising support through engagements with ulama, imams and other community influencers, a tactic that mirrors previous APC outreach efforts in the north.

Why it matters

The northern region accounts for a substantial share of Nigeria’s electorate, making its backing crucial for any presidential candidate. Yari’s claim that the north is wholly supportive of Tinubu signals an attempt to consolidate the APC’s base ahead of a tightly contested election. The campaign highlights economic indicators, including a stronger naira and an increase in foreign reserves from roughly $3.9 billion to a range between $54 billion and $57.7 billion, alongside a growth in the trade balance from approximately N44 billion in 2023 to N7.5 trillion, aiming to convince voters that the administration has provided tangible benefits.

Yari also addressed accusations that the Tinubu government had neglected agriculture, asserting that around two million farmers had pledged support and denying claims of anti‑farmer sentiment. Additionally, he warned that critics were using artificial‑intelligence tools to spread misinformation, positioning the campaign’s narrative as a factual counter‑weight.

What happens next

The APC’s campaign rollout will continue across the north, with Yari indicating that the council will maintain its engagement with traditional and religious leaders to sustain momentum. The party plans to present its record on infrastructure, health, education and social welfare to voters as the election approaches. The next major milestone is the general election scheduled for January 2027, when the promised northern support will be tested at the ballot box.