North-Central Rallies for 2027: Akume, Oluremi Back Tinubu's Second Term Bid

Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, recently hosted a monumental All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally, drawing thousands of supporters and members from across the North-Central states. The event, spearheaded by the North Central Grassroots Mobilisation Network and hosted by Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, was a decisive show of support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 general elections. Buses adorned with images of Tinubu, Shettima, and regional governors, along with chartered interstate buses, began arriving on Friday, saturating the state with political fervor. Security was notably heightened, with heavy personnel deployment across major streets and around Lafia Square, the rally venue, where major entry points were blocked. The Usman Danfodio Airport also buzzed with activity, anticipating the arrival of VIPs. While the Nasarawa State Police Command had initially advised against rallies for Saturday, October 10, citing security concerns ahead of the First Lady’s visit, the event proceeded as planned, marking a significant political gathering.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, served as the Special Guest of Honour, delivering a powerful message to the immense crowd. She assured Nigerians that the current economic hardships would soon abate, urging North-Central voters to rally behind President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027. According to Mrs. Tinubu, a renewed mandate would be instrumental in consolidating the administration’s “Renewed Hope agenda.” She emphasized that while the Tinubu administration’s reforms were challenging, they were meticulously designed to reposition the economy and forge a more promising future for families. The First Lady highlighted various government interventions in critical sectors, including healthcare delivery, road infrastructure, and education, specifically mentioning the innovative student loan scheme aimed at improving access to higher education for indigent students. Her address resonated with the thousands of supporters present, who hailed from Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), also made a significant declaration at the rally, asserting that the North should not contest the 2027 presidential election. He branded any Northerner seeking the office as insincere, citing a 1999 Kaduna agreement for power to rotate between the North and South, with each region serving eight years. Akume explicitly stated, “In 2031, Northerners can float over 1,000 candidates. So anybody from the North who is running for president today is not sincere. I reject him 100 per cent, don’t accept him.” He lauded President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a “man who dreams big and acts big,” and pointed to ongoing flagship infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Road as concrete evidence of the administration's commitment. Akume also vigorously defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, reminding the audience that leading presidential candidates had promised this policy during the 2023 election campaign, but it was Tinubu who courageously implemented it. He dismissed promises to reverse the policy as deceptive “policy flip-flop.” Furthermore, he underscored the administration’s advancements in education, including the establishment of new universities and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) student loan scheme, designed to ensure no Nigerian is denied tertiary education due to their circumstances.

Following his impassioned speech, Senator Akume formally moved a motion seeking the endorsement of President Tinubu as the APC’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. This pivotal motion was promptly seconded by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who also chairs the North Central Governors’ Forum. Governor Sule reiterated Nasarawa State’s unwavering commitment to the APC and highlighted the positive economic transformations under Tinubu’s leadership, including improvements in oil production, foreign reserves, and market capitalization. The motion received overwhelming approval through a voice vote from the gathered supporters, solidifying the North-Central region's unified backing for President Tinubu’s re-election. The rally, described by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as the “mother of all rallies,” concluded with a strong message of regional solidarity and commitment to the