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'We Can No Longer, in Good Conscience, Back Tinubu' — Arewa APC Forum Withdraws Support for President's 2027 Re‑election Bid
A deepening political fissure has opened within the ranks of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Arewa APC Forum, Kano State chapter, formally withdrew its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's second‑term ambition, citing serious concerns over governance, leadership direction, and widespread allegations of nepotism, incompetence, and corruption.
The development marks a significant crack in the President's support base in the North, a region that delivered over 60% of the votes that propelled him to victory in the 2023 presidential election, and it signals growing internal discord within APC structures ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
'Extensive Consultations and Careful Reflection'
In a strongly‑worded statement issued on Friday, April 17, 2026, the forum said its decision was reached after “extensive consultations and careful reflection” on the current state of affairs at the federal level. The group stated that it could no longer, “in good conscience,” continue to back the administration, which it accused of nepotism, incompetence, and corruption.
“Leadership must inspire confidence, uphold fairness, and demonstrate a sincere commitment to national unity, institutional integrity, and responsible governance,” the statement read. It added that where these values are persistently undermined, “silence becomes complicity”.
The forum declared that it has withdrawn its confidence in the current political direction and urged all its members to align with this new position in future political engagements. The statement was signed by Dr. Sallah Hakilu Kibiya, Chairman of the Arewa APC Forum, Kano State chapter.
Specific Allegations: Nepotism, Incompetence, Corruption
The forum did not mince words in its critique, explicitly accusing the Tinubu administration of widespread criticisms over nepotism, incompetence, and corruption. The group emphasised that it could no longer “in good conscience” continue to lend support to an administration widely criticised for these deficiencies.
The statement stressed that leadership must be anchored on fairness, institutional integrity, and national unity, warning that failure to uphold these principles undermines public trust. “We believe that leadership must inspire confidence, uphold fairness, and demonstrate a sincere commitment to national unity, institutional integrity, and responsible governance. Where these values are persistently undermined, silence becomes complicity,” the forum added.
The withdrawal of support, according to the group, reflects a shift in its political stance within the APC, and members have been advised to align with the new position in all future political engagements. The forum described the announcement as a matter of public interest and democratic accountability, insisting that it remains committed to what it called the broader aspirations of Nigerians for good governance.
A Growing Political Realignment in the North
The development adds to growing political realignments within party structures as Nigeria moves closer to the next election cycle, with increasing internal debates over performance, loyalty, and succession politics. It signals potential cracks within support structures linked to the ruling APC, particularly in the northern region, as political alignments begin to shift ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The Arewa APC Forum's withdrawal is not an isolated event. Analysts have noted that President Tinubu's popularity in the North is gradually fading, with northern governors who openly campaigned for him in 2023 now adopting a more cautious posture. Persistent northern complaints that key appointments in Tinubu's administration have been skewed in favour of the President's Yoruba ethnic group have fuelled resentment.
Political observers warn that the North—which gave Tinubu over 60% of his votes in 2023—could significantly reduce that margin in 2027, with some analysts predicting a potential loss of more than 70% of the north‑west and north‑east vote if opposition figures successfully consolidate their forces.
A Broader Context of Northern Discontent
The Arewa APC Forum's withdrawal adds to a chorus of northern voices expressing dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the apex northern socio‑cultural organisation, has previously insisted that the President has neglected the region that gave him overwhelming support in 2023. While the ACF has distanced itself from some anti‑Tinubu statements, the sentiment of marginalisation persists.
In Kano, a key political stronghold, the political terrain has become increasingly complex. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who defected from the NNPP to the APC in February 2026, has publicly pledged loyalty to President Tinubu and assured that Kano State would support his re‑election bid. However, the Arewa APC Forum's withdrawal suggests that not all APC structures in the state are aligned with the governor's position.
The opposition has been quick to seize on the development. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition figures have argued that President Tinubu has lost the support of Northerners, with an ADC chieftain stating that “Tinubu has practically lost support from the North”. Prominent northern political titans, including Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir el‑Rufai, and Aminu Tambuwal, are now aligned squarely against the President, posing a formidable challenge to his re‑election bid.
Implications for the 2027 Election
The withdrawal of support by the Arewa APC Forum is a significant blow to President Tinubu's re‑election calculus. The North remains the electoral bedrock of the APC, and any erosion of support in the region could have profound implications for the 2027 presidential contest.
Political analysts have noted that the North is no longer the monolithic voting bloc it once was, and the President's camp must work diligently to address the grievances that have fuelled discontent. The Arewa APC Forum's statement, with its explicit references to nepotism, incompetence, and corruption, highlights the depth of dissatisfaction within the party's own structures.
As the 2027 election cycle intensifies, President Tinubu's campaign will need to navigate a complex political terrain marked by internal party fractures, opposition consolidation, and growing northern discontent. The Arewa APC Forum's withdrawal may be a harbinger of more defections to come, as political realignments accelerate in the countdown to the next general election.
Conclusion: A Fracture That Cannot Be Ignored
The Arewa APC Forum's withdrawal of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's second‑term bid is a significant political development that underscores the growing fractures within the ruling APC, particularly in the North. The forum's explicit allegations of nepotism, incompetence, and corruption reflect a deepening discontent that the President's campaign cannot afford to ignore.
As the 2027 election approaches, the battle for the North—the region that delivered Tinubu's victory in 2023—will be fiercely contested. Whether the President can repair the damage and rebuild trust among northern APC structures remains an open question. What is certain is that the political landscape is shifting, and the Arewa APC Forum's withdrawal is a clear signal that the President's path to re‑election is far from assured.
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