Politics
2027 Presidency: APC Unveils South, North-Central Strategy to Secure Tinubu’s Re-election
2027 Presidency: APC Unveils South, North-Central Strategy to Secure Tinubu’s Re-election
Fresh details have emerged on the All Progressives Congress (APC) strategy to secure bloc votes from the South and North-Central ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as the ruling party moves to strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid amid growing opposition in parts of the North.
Sources at the APC national secretariat disclosed that the plan, described by a senior party official as a “materialising countermeasure,” was initiated more than five months ago following intelligence reports of rising discontent in the core North and the emergence of an opposition coalition reportedly led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Party insiders said the initiative is being driven by key figures including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, APC Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and Ikeja Federal Constituency lawmaker James Faleke.
In recent months, northern socio-political groups such as the Northern Elders Forum and the Arewa Consultative Forum have openly criticised Tinubu’s administration, citing alleged marginalisation in political appointments, project distribution, and responses to insecurity. Prominent northern politicians, including Nasir El-Rufai, Abubakar Malami, and allies of former President Muhammadu Buhari, have also been linked to growing resistance against Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
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According to INEC 2023 election data, Tinubu polled 8.79 million votes nationwide, with over 5.3 million votes from the North, underscoring the region’s electoral significance.
Amid the northern pushback, the APC has intensified efforts to consolidate control of the South, aiming to ensure that no southern state falls to the opposition in 2027. Party sources said the strategy involves targeted alliances, elite engagement, and the use of federal influence, pointing to recent defections of PDP governors as evidence of progress.
“The goal is to deliver the entire South. Once we do that, we are already 50 per cent on the path to victory,” a party official said, adding that only Abia and Oyo remain outside APC control in the region.
The ruling party is also targeting the North-Central, where Plateau, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory were lost in 2023 to Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. A senior APC source said the region is being positioned as a decisive battleground to neutralise opposition votes from the North-East and North-West.
Confirming the move, Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said party leaders were working closely with the Presidency and the APC national leadership to secure between 80 and 90 per cent of the region’s votes for Tinubu.
However, opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) dismissed the strategy as unrealistic, accusing the APC of self-deception, governance failures and attempts to weaken democratic competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
2027 Presidency: APC Unveils South, North-Central Strategy to Secure Tinubu’s Re-election
Politics
City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign
City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign
Prominent business leaders and influencers have donated buses worth millions of naira in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, signalling a growing grassroots mobilisation effort by his backers across Nigeria.
The donations were led by Cletus Uzoezie Oragwa, founder of Zenco Oil, alongside Chief Christian Okonkwo of C-Energy Oil and popular nightlife entrepreneur Obi Cubana. The buses were handed over to CityBoyMedia, an affiliate of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven grassroots support platform actively engaging communities in the Southeast and beyond to strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
During the presentation ceremony, the donors emphasised that the buses would enhance the movement’s logistics, voter mobilisation, and outreach efforts in key regions, particularly rural communities. The initiative underscores the role of private sector support in bolstering campaign infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Obi Cubana, who has previously been prominent in civic engagement and social advocacy, signalled stronger political alignment with the Tinubu-led administration. In recent events, including hosting Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, in Abuja, Cubana reaffirmed his commitment to youth mobilisation and inclusive political participation through the City Boy Movement.
Also present at the event was social media personality Cubana Chief Priest, who expressed support for the administration and reiterated his opposition to former presidential candidate Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 elections.
The donations coincide with a wider surge in pro-Tinubu mobilisation activities nationwide, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allied groups intensify efforts to consolidate support and ensure a strong grassroots presence. Political observers note that contributions from private citizens and business figures play a key role in sustaining momentum for the campaign.
This initiative highlights the intersection of political support, business influence, and grassroots mobilisation, reflecting strategic efforts to galvanise youth engagement and strengthen the administration’s electoral prospects.
City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign
Politics
Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode
Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode
LAGOS — A retired Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, Lai Olurode, has described the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, as a symbol of ethical and people-centred leadership, saying his “servant mindset” continues to offer lessons for today’s political class.
Olurode spoke in Lagos on February 11, 2026, at a commemorative event marking the fifth anniversary of Jakande’s passing, where he delivered a tribute titled “Jakande’s Servant Mindsets Remain Evergreen.”
Reflecting on Jakande’s legacy, Olurode said the late governor’s decisions were largely driven by public good rather than personal gain.
“An analysis of Jakande’s actions… reveals that his major actions weren’t self-interest driven but motivated by a consuming concern for the enhancement of public goods,” he said.
He noted that Jakande’s tenure expanded access to education, healthcare, roads and employment, with benefits reaching ordinary citizens rather than a narrow political circle.
According to him, the former governor demystified governance by taking it to the grassroots and maintaining close contact with the masses.
Olurode also recalled the period following the 1983 military coup, when praise for Jakande’s achievements continued despite the prevailing political climate, citing an incident where a government official described the ousted governor as a “superstar.”
Highlighting Jakande’s personal style, he said the late leader avoided flamboyance, cut the cost of governance and remained accessible even after leaving office.
“Jakande shunned flamboyance and the wasteful paraphernalia which many Nigerian leaders artificially surround themselves with,” Olurode added.
He urged contemporary leaders to embrace ethical values, inclusivity and accountability, noting that Jakande’s legacy endures decades after his single term in office.
The event also featured reflections on Jakande’s contributions to Lagos State and tributes to his family, including his wife, Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola, and their children.

Politics
El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai has raised alarm that he could be arrested at any time by Nigeria’s security agencies, claiming his outspoken criticism of the federal government and the alleged targeting of political opponents may make him a potential target. In an interview with BBC Hausa, El‑Rufai said that although he has not yet been detained, he believes his arrest is imminent, noting that several close associates have already been picked up by security forces. “About four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said, highlighting what he described as political pressure and intimidation of opposition voices.
El‑Rufai alleged that the APC-led federal government is using security and anti-corruption agencies to intimidate dissenting politicians, forcing some to either defect to the ruling party or face punitive action. His remarks come amid heightened political tension in the country and follow the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, who faces charges including abuse of office — allegations he describes as politically motivated. Critics say selective targeting of opposition figures undermines democratic principles and escalates mistrust in governance, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. El‑Rufai’s warning has intensified debates about the independence of law enforcement agencies and their role in political matters.
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Once a key figure in the APC, El‑Rufai has become a vocal critic of parts of the current administration. He claims that officials linked to his past administration have faced repeated investigations and detentions without formal charges, alleging these actions are politically motivated. In a confidential memo dated February 10, 2026, he stated that several former aides and associates had been detained and arraigned on what he called “phantom charges” designed to tarnish reputations and limit political competition.
While he insists he has committed no wrongdoing, El‑Rufai has called for due process and transparency, stressing that Nigeria’s political space must remain free from intimidation and unlawful targeting of opponents. His statement underscores growing concerns about political intimidation and the misuse of security agencies, highlighting the need for institutional independence and protection of opposition voices as the country navigates an increasingly charged political atmosphere.
El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
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