The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has stated that President Bola Tinubu is gradually losing political support in Northern Nigeria, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have yet to convince voters that they can provide a better alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.
The position was made known by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, during an interview on Arise Television’s PrimeTime programme on Monday.
According to Mohammed-Baba, many northerners have become increasingly dissatisfied with the country’s political leadership due to worsening insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance. He argued that voters in the region are now more concerned about practical solutions to their challenges than political narratives based on ethnicity, religion or personalities.
He noted that insecurity and economic difficulties continue to affect communities across the North, adding that political leaders have not demonstrated enough commitment to addressing the problems confronting ordinary citizens.
Speaking on President Tinubu’s administration, Mohammed-Baba said the expectations that accompanied the president’s victory in the 2023 election have largely not been met. He argued that the economic reforms introduced by the government have placed additional pressure on citizens and that insecurity remains a major concern despite government efforts.
He pointed to the continued activities of bandits and terrorists in several parts of the country, stressing that many rural communities have been forced to abandon farming activities because of security threats. According to him, the growing tendency of citizens to rely on self-help for protection reflects a weakening of the state’s responsibility to safeguard lives and property.
The ACF spokesman also referenced previous calls for the establishment of forest guards, noting that security experts have estimated that thousands of terrorists still operate within ungoverned areas across the country.
On former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mohammed-Baba said the veteran politician has not clearly distinguished himself as a credible alternative to the current administration. While acknowledging Atiku’s criticism of the government, he argued that the former presidential candidate has yet to present a detailed policy framework capable of inspiring confidence among voters.
He also questioned Peter Obi’s political direction, suggesting that his movement across different political platforms over the years has raised concerns among some northern voters about his long-term political agenda.
In addition, Mohammed-Baba criticised comments reportedly made by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying the use of revered northern historical figures in political messaging could be viewed as inappropriate by many people in the region.
He further argued that any politician seeking northern support ahead of the 2027 presidential election must clearly articulate practical solutions to the country’s economic, security and infrastructure challenges rather than relying on broad political rhetoric.
When asked to identify a presidential aspirant capable of attracting widespread support across the North, Mohammed-Baba declined to endorse any individual, saying the region is still observing developments and evaluating potential candidates.
“We are waiting to see,” he said.
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