Several prominent northern political figures and groups have expressed deep dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing him of neglecting northern interests and mistreating the politicians whose support helped him rise to power.
According to the northern leaders, these grievances range from concerns about governance and security to the perception that Tinubu has favored the Yoruba ethnic group in major government appointments at the expense of northern representation.
They pointed to the concentration of key positions, such as the Petroleum Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Justice of Nigeria, and others, in the hands of the Yoruba ethnic group.
They argued that since Nigeria’s independence, no ethnic group has held such a large number of influential roles simultaneously.
This perceived marginalization has fueled growing resentment within the northern political establishment.
Recall that the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), a significant socio-political group in the region, recently voiced regret over supporting Tinubu in the 2023 elections.
Also, a member of the NEF, Professor Usman Yusuf, reportedly lamented that Tinubu’s administration has led to “deception, destitution, and hopelessness” for many in the North. He was quoted to have said, “People have lost hope. It pains me to see our people lining up to collect cups of palliatives. Renewed Hope has turned into hopelessness. People have lost hope”.
NEF Spokesman, AbdulAziz Sulaiman echoed these sentiments, promising that the North would not repeat the mistake of backing Tinubu in 2027.
The North-East Governors’ Forum has also raised concerns, accusing Tinubu’s administration of neglecting their region, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development and electricity provision.
The Forum’s chairman, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, highlighted the lack of road and rail connections between the South-East and North-East regions as a particular grievance.
Recent meetings among northern political heavyweights, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir, el-Rufa’i and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as visits by former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar to former President, Muhammadu Buhari, have further stoked speculation of a northern political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
Although Atiku described his visit as a Sallah homage, many analysts view these moves as strategic positioning for the next presidential contest.
