Political tension is mounting within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after northern youth groups threatened to reconsider their support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the 2027 general elections over alleged marginalisation of northern youths in the party.
The development followed a high-level meeting between the North-West APC Youth Stakeholders’ Forum, led by its coordinating chairman, Hon. Bashir Ruma, and the national leadership of the Arewa Democratic Youth Stakeholders’ Forum.
In a statement signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Salawudeen Shaibu, the group alleged that northern youths have been consistently excluded from key youth leadership positions and political decision-making within the APC.
It argued that appointments in youth-related political and government institutions have largely favoured people from one region, creating a sense of exclusion among many young people in northern Nigeria.
The forum announced the appointment of Hon. Haruna Sardauna and Mallam Idiriss Jibrin as coordinators for the North-East and North-Central respectively. They have been tasked with mobilising APC support groups across the regions and engaging stakeholders on what the organisation described as the need for greater inclusion of northern youths within the party.
It also welcomed the decision of several APC support group leaders to join a campaign against what it described as tribal discrimination, saying the movement is aimed at promoting fairness, equal political opportunities and broader participation for young Nigerians regardless of region.
As part of its resolutions, the forum directed 1,378 registered APC political support group leaders across the 19 northern states, the Federal Capital Territory and the three northern geopolitical zones to begin consultations on withdrawing support for President Tinubu’s re-election if their concerns remain unaddressed.
The group further alleged that Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has influenced youth political structures and appointments in ways that sideline northern youths. It claimed that recognised youth organisations and support groups linked to the presidency have been dominated by individuals from the South-West while support groups led by northern youths have not received equal recognition or support.
According to the forum, the continued exclusion of northern youths could weaken party unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. It maintained that northern voters played a major role in the APC’s victory during the 2023 general elections and said that contribution should be reflected in appointments and leadership opportunities.
Hon. Bashir Ruma urged northern youths to remain peaceful and united while pursuing what he described as equal representation within the party, insisting that the campaign seeks to strengthen democratic participation rather than create division.
The forum appealed to President Tinubu to ensure political appointments and opportunities reflect Nigeria’s diversity, warning that failure to address the concerns raised could deepen dissatisfaction among northern youths and fuel further debate within the ruling party as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
At the time of filing this report, the Presidency, the APC national leadership and Seyi Tinubu had not publicly responded to the allegations.
