2027: North will support Tinubu’s re-election, says Kano gov
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, pledged Northern Nigeria's support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027, announcing plans to mobilize votes through the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) campaign office.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has publicly assured President Bola Tinubu of the North's backing for his 2027 re-election bid, emphasizing Kano's pivotal role in mobilizing support. This commitment was made during the inauguration of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) campaign office, a movement designed to coordinate political engagement across the 19 northern states and the Federal C…
Imagine a big school where different groups of friends live in different parts. The leader of one big group, the Kano Governor, has promised the school's head prefect, President Tinubu, that his whole group will help him win the next big election to stay head prefect. But the assistant head prefect, Shettima, also reminded everyone that to win, they need to make sure everyone in the school is happy, safe, and has good things to learn and do, because promises alone aren't enough.
Analysis
The declaration by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf regarding Northern Nigeria's support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027 marks an early and significant political maneuver. This public assurance, delivered during the inauguration of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) campaign office in Abuja, underscores the strategic importance of regional endorsements in Nigerian presidential politics. Kano, being the state with the highest number of votes in Northern Nigeria, is positioned by its governor as a crucial player in securing a massive victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu.
Abba Kabir Yusuf
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's pledge is a strong indicator of early political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. He explicitly guaranteed the President that the North would support his second-term ambition, highlighting Kano's readiness to lead the mobilization effort. This commitment suggests a concerted strategy to consolidate support within a region historically vital for presidential electoral success.
Governor Yusuf's statement, issued through his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, emphasizes Kano's intention to play a significant role. He stated that Kano would "lead all Nigerian states to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a massive turnout in favour of the APC." This rhetoric aims to project confidence and rally regional political machinery behind the incumbent.
Arewa for Asiwaju
The inauguration of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) campaign office serves as the organizational backbone for this mobilization effort. This movement is specifically designed to coordinate political engagement and support for President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. Its establishment signifies a proactive approach to building a broad-based coalition.
Former Minister of Defence Badaru Abubakar has been appointed as the national coordinator for the A4A movement, indicating a structured and experienced leadership. The movement's objective is to ensure a unified front and efficient resource allocation in garnering votes. This early organizational setup suggests a long-term campaign strategy, rather than a reactive one, aiming to solidify the President's base well in advance of the election cycle.
Kashim Shettima
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the same event, provided a crucial counterpoint to the political pledges by emphasizing the need for accountability and good governance. He acknowledged the economic challenges currently facing citizens and stressed the administration's responsibility to respond to these concerns. Shettima's remarks serve as a reminder that political support must be earned through tangible results.
He prioritized key areas such as security, education, poverty reduction, and economic opportunities as essential for improving the lives of Nigerians. This highlights the administration's awareness of public expectations and the critical issues that will likely shape the 2027 electoral landscape. The Vice-President's call for performance underscores that while political assurances are important, sustained public trust will ultimately depend on the government's ability to deliver on its mandate.
Key points
- Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf pledged Northern Nigeria's support for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
- The assurance was given during the inauguration of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) campaign office in Abuja.
- Kano, as the state with the highest number of votes in Northern Nigeria, is expected to lead mobilization efforts.
- Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasized that political support must be accompanied by accountability, good governance, and tangible results.
- The A4A movement aims to coordinate support for Tinubu and Shettima across the 19 northern states and the FCT, with Badaru Abubakar as national coordinator.
If the administration effectively addresses the economic challenges and prioritizes security and education as urged by Vice-President Shettima, the pledged Northern support could translate into tangible improvements in citizens' lives and foster national unity. This early political alignment could also provide stability for policy implementation, potentially leading to more consistent governance and development initiatives across the country.
Conversely, if the administration fails to deliver on its promises regarding economic improvement, security, and poverty reduction, the early political pledges might face significant public backlash and erode trust. This could lead to increased political instability and disaffection, potentially complicating the re-election bid despite initial regional assurances.

