Elder statesmen, ministers, lawmakers and traditional rulers from Nigeria’s North East region have pledged to mobilize grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress across the zone, in appreciation of the president’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for 2027.
A delegation led by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babagana Kingibe met the president at the State House in Abuja to formally endorse the Tinubu Shettima ticket, praising infrastructure and security investments they said are transforming the region after years of insurgency. Zulum described Shettima’s retention as recognition of loyalty and competence, noting that although the ruling party’s zoning arrangement allowed the president to choose a running mate from any northern zone, keeping Shettima in place further strengthened the region’s confidence in the administration.
Zulum cited the ongoing Akwanga Jos Bauchi Gombe Biu Maiduguri Expressway along with investments in agriculture, education and rehabilitation of displaced persons as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region, pledging that governors, ministers, lawmakers and grassroots supporters would work to deliver the North East for Tinubu and other ruling party candidates in 2027. Kingibe said the delegation, though largely made up of elder statesmen no longer in active politics, retains public trust that can help explain government policy and build confidence in the administration.
Responding, Tinubu said the endorsement reflected the enduring partnership between his government and the North East, recalling his political roots and paying tribute to the late Bamanga Tukur for shaping his early political philosophy. He said his administration had delivered on promises to improve road infrastructure and security in the region, and pointed to broader economic recovery, including stabilising the economy and continuing to clear inherited pension liabilities, as evidence the country is entering a new phase of growth.
