The Arewa Unity Forum (AUF) has rejected former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu’s call for the South to have a second consecutive presidential term in 2027. The group described Aliyu’s position as a personal view that does not reflect the collective stance of the North.
In a statement titled “Our North, Our Pride,” the AUF Chairman, Ambassador Nasiru Umar Dutsinma, said the North has the constitutional right to participate fully in Nigeria’s political process and choose its preferred candidates, regardless of informal zoning arrangements.
The Forum criticized what it called a “misguided political narrative” that tries to exclude the North under the guise of regional unity. The AUF also pointed out that Aliyu’s position goes against the values of the late Northern leader Sir Ahmadu Bello, who advocated for fairness and regional development.
The group expressed disappointment over the marginalization of the North under the current All Progressives Congress (APC) government, highlighting delayed projects like the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway. The AUF also raised concerns over the awarding of a contract related to the project to a company linked to President Bola Tinubu’s son.
Fuel subsidy removal by the federal government was also condemned by the Forum, saying it has increased poverty, unemployment, and inflation in the North.
On the 2027 elections, the AUF made clear its intention to support a northern presidential candidate, refusing to accept any zoning arrangement that ignores the North’s constitutional rights.
“We are no longer political illiterates,” the statement read. “Northern Nigerians will defend their democratic rights and refuse to be manipulated by temporary arrangements serving a few.”
The Arewa Unity Forum urged northern leaders to prioritize the region’s development over personal political ambitions and warned against supporting any candidate without real reforms.
The group ended by calling for unity among Northerners and pledged full support for a northern candidate in the 2027 polls to protect the dignity and future of the region.