The Arewa Think Tank, a prominent Northern socio-political and policy advocacy group, on Monday, disclosed that the North will stand by President Bola Tinubu and the Southwest geopolitical zone until 2031 due to what it described as Tinubu’s political astuteness and economic initiatives.

The Convener of the group, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while leading a delegation of professionals from the northern states to the residence of the National Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Reuben Fasoranti.

According to Yakubu, the visit became imperative in order to present the “impressive” midterm scorecard and to reassure the South-West of the support and co-operation of Northern Nigeria beyond 2027, stressing that Tinubu has done well in the last two years.

Yakubu, who emphasised that the visit centred on promoting national cohesion, inter-regional collaboration and sustainable development, maintained that it represented a pivotal moment in the enduring alliance between the North and the South-West regions, instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s path to peace and prosperity.

He said: “So we are here today to renew our relationship with the South-West, to reassure the Southwest that the North will stand by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. And we want to also thank you, sir, for the South-West having given us a Nigerian President who has a vision, who has a mission, who has been doing well in the last two years.

“We are also here to present to you his mid-term scorecard, his impressive mid-term scorecard. We are very sure and very hopeful that he will take us to the promised land. We have seen in the last two years what inter-regional collaboration and support can do and what it has done to move this country forward.”

The Arewa Think Tank convener further stressed that just as it was done in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election when northern governors rallied support for Tinubu, the North will repeat the same gesture come 2027.

“We don’t double-talk, and we don’t play double games. When our governors around 2022/2023 decided that it must go to the South-West, they didn’t double-talk; they spoke straight and directly, they picked Tinubu, and we are going to continue that until, by God’s grace, 2031.

“Even if a northerner is showing interest, we are committed to Tinubu. For the unity of this country, power must stay in the South until 2031. The North has had it for eight years, and it is the turn of the South. It is a gentleman’s agreement. We are not hypocrites. We talked about the unity of this country and thanked them for giving us a leader and Nigerian President who has a vision.

“Baba Fasoranti, who will clock 100 next year, has been an unbiased nationalist without ethnic or religious colouration. So we should appreciate him. People like this are encyclopaedias of Nigerian history and commitment.”

On his part, Fasoranti, who commended the Arewa leadership for their resolute commitment to fostering a genuine partnership grounded in truth, fairness and inclusivity, stated that the move to revitalise collaboration builds upon the historic unity of Nigeria’s founding fathers in pursuit of a just and flourishing federation.

The Olu of Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Council Area of the state, Olu Falae, stated that both parties had resolved to establish a joint framework to advance meaningful discussions on constitutional reform, national security and economic co-operation. He stressed that the renewed Arewa-Yoruba alliance stands as a beacon of hope for a nation yearning for principled leadership and moral guidance.

“We thank God things are getting better now. The price of food is down, and I am a farmer. This time last year, a dyna full of cassava tubers was ₦450,000. I was selling tubers at ₦450,000 per dyna load. Today, it’s ₦150,000. Those who are doing publicity for him, I don’t know what they are doing. These are the things they should be letting the nation know. This is not a theory.”

Also, the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, in the communiqué issued after the meeting, said: “We are on the same page. We believe we have found in Nigeria a leader with audacity, a leader with vision and courage.

“This renewed Arewa-Yoruba alliance stands as a beacon of hope for a nation yearning for principled leadership and moral guidance. The meeting concluded with both sides pledging to promote peace, harmony, and true federalism for Nigeria’s stability and unity.”

Photo caption: Afenifere leaders and delegation of the Arewa Think Tank in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Monday.