President Bola Tinubu has been urged to adopt a more inclusive political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections by selecting a Hausa/Fulani vice-presidential candidate and supporting the emergence of a Senate President from the South-East.

The proposal was made on Thursday in Lagos by public affairs commentator and Yoruba leader, Oyedele Oyewumi, who argued that the arrangement would strengthen national unity, reinforce the country’s federal character and promote a greater sense of belonging among Nigeria’s major ethnic groups.

He said the proposal was consistent with the recent position of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who warned that Nigeria must avoid circumstances that could lead to another civil war, noting that some of the conditions that contributed to the 1967–1970 conflict still exist.

According to Oyewumi, Tinubu has demonstrated courage in implementing reforms aimed at repositioning the country, adding that the President now has an opportunity to further strengthen his legacy by pursuing policies and political decisions that promote national inclusion.

“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. As we approach another electoral cycle, there is a need to consciously strengthen the bonds of national unity through equitable political representation,” he said.

Oyewumi argued that selecting a Hausa/Fulani vice-presidential candidate while zoning the office of the Senate President to the South-East would reflect Nigeria’s major ethnic composition and reassure different sections of the country of their place in the nation’s democratic process.

He also urged Tinubu to rise above past political differences and embrace reconciliation.

“He should forgive whatever shortcomings may have existed on the part of the Hausa/Fulani and the Igbo people and look beyond previous political disagreements. Leadership demands magnanimity, especially at critical moments in the nation’s history. This is an opportunity to heal old wounds and reinforce national cohesion,” he said.

The Yoruba leader maintained that political inclusiveness remains one of the most effective means of preserving peace, reducing ethnic tensions and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

He expressed optimism that a more balanced political arrangement reflecting the country’s diversity would secure Tinubu’s place in history as a leader committed not only to economic reforms but also to national unity, justice and fairness.

“If the President hearkens to this advice and takes deliberate steps to balance the nation’s political leadership in a manner that accommodates all major blocs, history will remember him as one of the greatest leaders Nigeria has produced. His legacy will not only be measured by economic reforms but also by his commitment to national unity, justice, and fairness,” Oyewumi said.