President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s bid for a second term received a boost yesterday as the Atiku Bagudu Grassroots Network for Tinubu 2027 endorsed his candidature and pledged to mobilise 19 million votes from the 19 northern states for his re-election.

The group, which also named the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, as its Grand Patron, said it had commenced grassroots mobilisation across the region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The endorsement followed a meeting in Abuja attended by delegates representing the 19 northern states, where members reviewed the administration’s policies and programmes and discussed strategies for taking its message to voters at the grassroots.

The convener of the network, Hon. Ali Oriri, said the group had established structures across the North and would deploy them to mobilise support for Tinubu and achieve its 19-million-vote target.

Oriri said the group’s support for the President was informed by what it described as his administration’s efforts to reposition the economy, strengthen infrastructure and implement reforms aimed at addressing longstanding structural challenges.

He said the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms and ongoing fiscal and tax reforms were difficult decisions but necessary measures which, according to the group, were aimed at creating a more sustainable economic foundation for the country.

Oriri said the reforms initiated by Tinubu motivated the formation of the network about six months ago, adding that its members would continue to explain the administration’s policies and programmes to Nigerians at the grassroots.

The group also cited investments in roads, rail, power, housing, agriculture and other sectors as reasons for seeking continuity under the Tinubu administration.

The Federal Government has said more than 2,700 kilometres of highways and major roads are under construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation, while the 2026 budget places significant emphasis on capital investment and infrastructure development.

The network said continuity would enable the reforms to mature and translate into wider economic opportunities and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

It also pointed to the administration’s fiscal and tax reforms, saying efforts to increase revenue and strengthen public finances would provide a more sustainable basis for financing infrastructure and social investments.

The Presidency has similarly said the reforms are intended to improve fiscal efficiency, strengthen revenue generation and address structural weaknesses in the country’s public finances.

Oriri said the network would take its mobilisation campaign to communities across the North, engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths and community leaders.

He urged members in the 19 northern states to strengthen their structures and commence sustained engagement with voters ahead of the 2027 election.

The convener said the group would also continue to explain what it described as the benefits and long-term objectives of the administration’s reforms to citizens, particularly at the grassroots.

He expressed confidence that the 19-million-vote target could be achieved through effective coordination and sustained mobilisation across the region.

The network also expressed support for Bagudu’s role in the administration’s economic management, describing his appointment as Grand Patron as recognition of his position as Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.

The meeting resolved to sustain mobilisation activities across the North and strengthen coordination among delegates from the 19 states as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.