Some northern leaders have declared their readiness to mobilise massive support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

They emphasised that the region remains committed to a power-sharing arrangement that allows the South to complete an eight-year presidential tenure — a principle they described as non-negotiable.

The leaders, under the aegis of the Northern Bridge Builders Forum, stated this during a visit to the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, at the Akure residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Ondo State.

Convener of the group, Senator Joel Dantami Iheny, said their decision to support Tinubu was based on satisfaction with the policies of his administration, particularly efforts to combat insecurity and stabilise the economy.

“We are supporting President Tinubu because Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we believe in the unity of this country,” Iheny said. “We, the North, have just done eight years under Buhari. Tinubu has done two years and some months.

“For us to agitate that we should continue again will be unconscionable. We are men of conscience, and that’s why we believe the southern part of this country should retain the presidency. After eight years, we can then talk about power returning to the North.

“The constitution says security is the responsibility of government, and this government has shown commitment to tackling insecurity. The way Mr President is handling it, we should give him our full support.”

The delegation included Senator Danjuma, Prof. Nora Ladi, and Rear Admiral (Rtd) among others. The group assured that the North would deliver even greater electoral support for Tinubu in 2027 than it did in 2023.

Responding, Afenifere leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti, represented by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Olu of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, described the visit as a fulfilment of Afenifere’s long-standing vision of national unity.

“I’m very happy that bridge builders and promoters of unity are here,” Falae said. “There are about 448 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, and every one of them — no matter how small — has something to offer. That is what true bridge building should pursue.

“No tribe is too small to be ignored. I’m happy that we are building bridges across the North and from the North to the South. That is the only way Nigeria can survive and thrive as a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic country.”