President Bola Tinubu
The Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the president’s administration has made significant interventions in security, military welfare, rural electrification and grassroots development.
The group, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by its President, Alhaji Danbature Abdul, said it had consulted traditional leaders, political analysts, youth coalitions, agrarian unions and civil society groups across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory before arriving at its position.
AYAGL, which described itself as a coalition of northern youths and grassroots movements, said Tinubu was gaining wider acceptance in the region and would enjoy substantial support from northern voters in the 2027 presidential election.
The group said its decision was based on what it described as the administration’s “verifiable” achievements, particularly in security, economic development, infrastructure and human capital, rather than political expediency.
According to the organisation, the Tinubu administration has also demonstrated commitment to giving northerners strategic responsibilities in the federal government while implementing programmes targeted at communities across the region.
On security, AYAGL commended the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, for what it described as improved coordination among the armed forces and intensified operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
It also praised the Federal Government for reviewing the salaries, allowances and hazard benefits of members of the armed forces, saying the measures had improved the morale of troops serving in challenging security theatres.
“Under the direct vision of President Tinubu, Gen. Musa championed the historic upward review of salaries, operational allowances and hazard benefits for our gallant armed forces,” the group said.
AYAGL also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for what it described as his role in strengthening intelligence coordination and cooperation among security agencies.
It said Ribadu’s coordination of the country’s security architecture had contributed to efforts against banditry, terrorism, oil theft and other forms of organised criminality.
The group further praised reforms in military pension administration, saying improved technology and financial controls had enhanced the administration and payment of pensions to retired military personnel.
In the area of electricity, AYAGL commended the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), particularly its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, for expanding solar mini-grids and other off-grid electricity projects in rural communities.
The group said increased access to electricity was helping to support small businesses, agriculture and cold-chain facilities, while creating economic opportunities for young people in rural areas.
It argued that sustained investment in rural electrification could also reduce the migration of young people from rural communities to urban centres in search of jobs and other opportunities.
Beyond its assessment of the Tinubu administration, AYAGL urged northern political leaders with ambitions that could undermine what it described as regional unity to reconsider their positions.
The group specifically warned against what it called “sectional or divisive ambitions” ahead of the 2027 presidential election, urging political actors to respect the emerging position of the people.
“Northern youths will not lend their strength to political speculation or fragmentation,” the organisation declared.
It said the North was “resolute, organised and united” in its decision to support Tinubu’s re-election, adding that youths in the region would not allow themselves to be used
