Northern support for Tinubu not a blank check – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that political support from Northern Nigeria for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid must be earned through transparency, facts, and measurable governance results, rather than empty political slogans or blind loyalty.
Speaking on Saturday at the official unveiling of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) Campaign Head Office and the inauguration of its northern think-tank structure in Abuja, Shettima charged political leaders to engage citizens with honesty regarding the administration’s ongoing economic and security reforms.
Addressing key stakeholders, the Vice President emphasized that political confidence should never be taken for granted.
He urged government representatives and campaign coordinators to directly address the economic challenges facing households across the nation.
“By now, I believe the North has spoken… with a resounding voice and unmistakable conviction,” Shettima said. “Such confidence places an obligation upon us that no officeholder should ever underestimate. Our citizens have endured difficult adjustments… What we owe them is an honest account of the decisions taken, the gains achieved, and the difficulties that persist.”
He added that constructive criticism remains vital to a healthy democracy, urging the A4A organization to function as a two-way channel—listening to community feedback and passing local concerns directly to public authorities.

Our correspondent reports that key political figures from across Northern Nigeria joined the event to express solidarity and pledge support for the administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They include the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who noted that the A4A structure provides a trusted platform to communicate the administration’s achievements to grassroots communities across the North and Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda (APC National Chairman, who oved a motion for the North to support the joint ticket, citing VP Shettima’s inclusive leadership, federal infrastructure investments, and the appointment of key northern leaders to strategic federal positions.

Also in attendance is Senator George Akume (Secretary to the Government of the Federation), who encouraged the region to base its political decisions on evidence of developmental progress rather than political sentiment, Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano State Governor), who on behalf of the northern governors, assured that northern support would remain firm, rooted in principles of equity, unity, and the administration’s track record as well as the Director-General of A4A, Abubakar Mohammed Badaru, who reaffirmed the group’s commitment to delivering the message of reform and continuity to every corner of Northern Nigeria.