APC Mobilizes Royal and Youth Support for Tinubu 2027 Bid

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a wide-scale mobilization effort to secure the 2027 re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, led delegations to the palaces of the Sultan of Sokoto, the Oba of Lagos, the Oba of Benin, and the Shehu of Borno to seek royal blessings. Yari argued that Northern Nigeria has an obligation to support the president as reciprocation for Tinubu's previous support of former President Muhammadu Buhari's second term.

Traditional leaders have largely responded with support. The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, stated that the president deserves a renewed mandate to finish his work, though he maintained that the Benin throne remains non-partisan. To justify the bid, Yari cited economic improvements, including a GDP growth increase from 2.7 percent in 2023 to 3.9 percent and a reduction in inflation from 22.9 percent to 15.9 percent.

Support has also expanded to youth and cross-party allies. Student leaders across 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory endorsed the president, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a primary driver. Meanwhile, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike declared his support for Tinubu non-negotiable, though he clarified that this does not constitute an alliance with the APC, asserting that the Peoples Democratic Party remains free to field candidates for other legislative and state positions.