North Firmly Behind Tinubu, We Won’t Miss Aregbesola, Amaechi in 2027 – APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru Declares
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has debunked claims that political interests in Northern Nigeria are aligning against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing such speculations as “a lie from the pit of hell.”
Speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone B Media Roundtable held at the Press Centre in Ibadan on Monday, Senator Basiru emphatically stated that the North remains a stronghold of support for President Tinubu and his 2027 presidential ambition.
He said contrary to narratives being pushed by political detractors, the North is not only backing Tinubu but also celebrating his leadership. “If you go to Kano, Katsina, Gombe and other parts of the North, you will see the overwhelming support for the President. There is even a new popular anthem, Omo Ologo, composed by Rarara, which is now widely sung across the region,” he said.
Senator Basiru cited Katsina State as an example, saying all political structures in the state have collapsed into supporting Tinubu, adding that the appointment of former governor Ibrahim Shema as Chairman of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was a demonstration of strategic inclusion.
He also emphasized the strength of the APC in Northern states, saying, “In Kaduna under Governor Uba Sani, the APC remains the most viable and dominant electoral platform.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Senator Basiru downplayed the relevance of former Osun State governor and newly appointed interim national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, stating categorically that he and others like him will not be missed by the party in 2027.
“Aregbesola did not support Tinubu in 2023. In fact, he didn’t vote during that election. So, what support are we missing? Despite the naira redesign crisis and orchestrated fuel scarcity, President Tinubu still won. Today, he is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and our party is waxing stronger,” he noted.
Basiru also named other prominent politicians such as former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal among those who didn’t support the APC in 2023 and whose absence, he said, has no bearing on the party’s future.
“People who worked against us then cannot now threaten us with irrelevance. We are expanding our base, winning more states, and consolidating our strength ahead of 2027,” he added.
He also clarified that Aregbesola’s association with ADC is not a defection from the APC. “He left the APC months ago. He was already party-less before joining ADC, a party whose relevance is even questionable,” he quipped.
In her welcome remarks, the NUJ Vice President, Zone B, Princess Ronke Afebioye-Samo, emphasized the central role of the media in the country’s democratic journey. She noted that the fourth estate of the realm remains a key stakeholder in national development through its commitment to accountability, transparency, and constructive dialogue.
“As journalists, our responsibility is to shape national conversations, hold the powerful accountable, and ensure that democracy thrives through credible reporting and responsible journalism,” she said.
The media roundtable brought together journalists, political stakeholders, and analysts for critical discourse on the evolving dynamics of Nigerian politics and the role of the press in nation-building.