A Yoruba leader and public affairs commentator, Dr. Oyedele Oyewumi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt what he described as a more inclusive political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections by considering a Hausa-Fulani running mate while supporting the emergence of a Senate President from the South-East.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Oyewumi said such a political configuration would strengthen national unity, reinforce Nigeria’s federal character and promote a greater sense of belonging among the country’s diverse ethnic and regional groups.

He said his position was informed by growing concerns over national cohesion and echoed recent comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who warned that Nigeria must guard against conditions capable of threatening its unity and cautioned against any recurrence of the divisions that preceded the 1967–1970 civil war.

According to Oyewumi, President Tinubu has demonstrated political courage through a series of economic and governance reforms and now has another opportunity to shape his legacy by promoting greater inclusiveness in the country’s political leadership.

“The President has shown remarkable courage in taking difficult decisions in the interest of the country, and we will continue to encourage him to do even more,” he said. “As we approach another electoral cycle, there is a need to consciously strengthen the bonds of national unity through equitable political representation.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima is of Kanuri ethnicity. Born and raised in Maiduguri, Borno State, he belongs to the predominant ethnic group in Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone. He has previously addressed his heritage publicly, emphasising that while he is Kanuri, he maintains close socio-cultural ties and blood relations to Fulani lineages.

Oyewumi argued that selecting a Hausa/Fulani vice-presidential candidate while supporting the zoning of the Senate Presidency to the South-East would reflect Nigeria’s diversity and reassure all regions that they remain integral stakeholders in the nation’s democratic process.

He also urged the President to place national interest above past political disagreements.

“Leadership demands magnanimity, especially at critical moments in the nation’s history,” he said. “This is an opportunity to heal old wounds, build trust and reinforce national cohesion.”

According to him, political inclusion remains one of the most effective ways of reducing ethnic tensions, strengthening democratic institutions and fostering long-term stability.

He expressed optimism that a broader power-sharing arrangement could further consolidate national unity and enhance the President’s place in history.

“If the President embraces a political arrangement that reflects Nigeria’s diversity and accommodates all major blocs, history will remember him as one of the country’s most courageous and unifying leaders,” Oyewumi said. “His legacy will not only be measured by economic reforms but also by his commitment to justice, fairness and national unity.”

His comments come as political consultations and alignments gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with discussions on zoning, power-sharing and regional representation expected to feature prominently in the evolving political landscape.