Former governor of Zamfara state and senator representing Zamfara west, Abdul’aziz Yari, has declared that northerners will support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Yari, a former chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, made the comment on Sunday at his installation as Obaloyin of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade.
Yari said the south-west had stood by the north politically and deserved reciprocal support.
“The message is very clear; the south-west has stood by the north despite all odds, and now it is time for us to pay back, and we will do so,” he said.
The former Zamfara governor said Tinubu played a decisive role in Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as president in 2015.
“Some of us know that without President Tinubu’s plans, financial and other support, the north’s dream of ruling through Buhari might not have been realised. The dream of President Buhari to become president in 2015 was fully hatched, designed and financed by Tinubu.
“Therefore, we in northern Nigeria have no option but to follow and fully support him the first time and the second time, by God’s grace.
“We have started seeing what he is doing, and we pray for his success and a better Nigeria during his reign,” he said.
The former governor also pledged to promote unity between the north and the south-west.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure Yorubaland that this is your ambassador; I will personally ensure that the north-west, north-central, north-east and south-west unite and cement this relationship,” he said.
He added that traditional titles should strengthen cultural bonds and cooperation across regions.
“With this chieftaincy title, we are sons of this place, and we will do our best to promote the cultural values of this institution wherever we find ourselves,” Yari said.