Northern APC Leaders Launch Arewa for Asiwaju to Drive Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Push
Abuja, Nigeria—September 15, 2026—A high-powered coalition of northern All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including former governors, serving and former senators, and influential stakeholders, has established a structured political mobilization platform across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.
The group, named Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), describes itself as the organised northern vanguard for the president’s second-term ambition. It is expected to be formally unveiled in Abuja in the coming days, followed by zonal and state-level inaugurations.
Leadership Structure and Key Figures
At the top of the movement sits a 14-member Board of Trustees (BOT) drawing on deep grassroots networks across the Northwest, Northeast, and North-Central. Former Kano State Governor and one-time Education Minister Senator Ibrahim Shekarau chairs the board.
He will be deputized by former Yobe State Governor and current Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, and former Plateau State Governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong.
Former Jigawa State Governor and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, serves as BOT Secretary, assisted by Engineer Abubakar Gambo.
Other BOT members include Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Senator Joshua Dariye, retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, former Bauchi Governor Isa Yuguda, former Plateau Governor Jolly Nyame, former Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, Hajia Aishatu Dukku and Hajia Binta Ibrahim.
Grassroots Reach and Organogram
A4A will operate an elaborate structure spanning national, zonal and state levels. State coordinators have already been named for all 19 northern states and the FCT, including figures such as Hon. Emmanuel Jime (Benue), Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel (Jigawa), H.E. Abdullahi T. Gwarzo (Kano), Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta (Niger) and Hon. Shitu Mohammed Kabir (FCT).
The platform has also created multiple directorates covering finance and resource mobilization, operations and logistics, communications, youth affairs, women, students, the creative and entertainment industry (to be led by actor Ali Nuhu), traditional institutions, religious communities, and more.
Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello is positioned as Deputy National Coordinator for the North-Central, among other zonal roles.
In a related development, the Students’ Wing of A4A was inaugurated, with student leaders from tertiary institutions across the North endorsing Tinubu and pledging campus mobilization.
They cited interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and other education-related programs as reasons for their support.
Political Context and Implications
The emergence of A4A comes as political actors intensify early preparations for the 2027 general elections. The group positions itself as a coordinated machinery designed to consolidate northern support for the ruling party’s candidate and translate grassroots networks into electoral strength.
Head of Media Relations Edwin Olofu, in a statement, emphasized that the platform was conceived to provide a structured northern response in support of Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
Formal unveiling events and subsequent state inaugurations are expected to further activate the structure.
As the political calendar advances, A4A’s ability to mobilize effectively across diverse northern constituencies will be closely watched by both the ruling party and the opposition.
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