According to Vanguard News, as some northern figures voice opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s possible re-election in 2027, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has dismissed them as individuals driven by personal interests and bitterness over being overlooked by the present administration.
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, AYCF President Alhaji Yerima Shettima described these northern detractors as political opportunists who have lost their influence and now rely on social media to remain in the spotlight.
Yerima particularly took aim at former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of harbouring resentment due to his failure to land a ministerial position under Tinubu’s government. He alleged that El-Rufai is now trying to position himself as a representative of the north to retain political significance.
“El-Rufai should be disregarded—he doesn’t have the mandate to speak for the north,” Yerima said. “He governed Kaduna for eight years and should be able to clearly point to his achievements during that period.”
He argued that El-Rufai’s recent statements stem from personal dissatisfaction rather than any sincere concern for the region.
“It’s obvious he’s upset over not being named a minister. He should let go and move forward. Misleading people into thinking he speaks for the north or holds its political compass for 2027 is wrong,” Yerima stated.
The AYCF leader also stressed that it is too early to evaluate Tinubu’s administration, noting that the president has spent less than two years in office. He urged critics to give Tinubu the full term before making any judgement.
“We knew from the beginning that Tinubu’s tenure would be tough. He inherited challenges that couldn’t be solved in a single year. Let’s not heat up the polity just because certain people haven’t been given their preferred positions,” he said.
Yerima also took a swipe at former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, arguing that Buhari’s eight years in power brought more hardship than progress to the northern region. He pointed out that the withdrawal of fuel subsidies—which has played a major role in the rising cost of living—was set in motion by Buhari, not Tinubu.
“The facts are there. It was Buhari who removed the subsidy; Tinubu simply had the boldness to make it official. You can’t allocate funds to something that isn’t included in the national budget,” Yerima clarified.
He acknowledged the severity of the current economic conditions but insisted that Tinubu should be granted the time and space to tackle the issues instead of being judged too soon.
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