Northern Governors’ Forum has urged women Ulamas to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The governors made the call through Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State who is also the Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum.
Mr Yahaya who spoke on Sunday in Kaduna at an engagement meeting with Northern Nigeria women Ulama from the 19 northern states, said the meeting provided an opportunity to engage the women Islamic scholars and mobilise them towards ensuring Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.
The governor said northern APC governors would cascade the mobilisation effort to their respective states and grassroots communities.
“We will go and cascade down this mission and ensure that our womenfolk and indeed our entire people align with the system,” he said.
Yahaya said the governors would work towards retaining their positions and ensuring the success of the APC at the 2027 elections.
He urged participants to remain united, strategic and focused, saying political success required collective effort, patience and perseverance.
According to him, political journeys are not for one person but involve citizens who deserve to have their voices heard and served with fairness.
Yahaya said the administration had taken difficult but necessary decisions to address challenges confronting the country.
He expressed optimism that the measures would bring stability and relief to Nigerians, urging the people not to be distracted.
The governor also urged APC members to educate citizens on the administration’s policies and achievements to strengthen public understanding and support.
He said the 19 northern states remained important to the APC’s political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yahaya said competence, integrity, justice and fairness should guide leadership, stressing that a leader must govern all Nigerians regardless of religion or region.
He called for unity among APC members, urging them not to allow intimidation, confusion or division to derail the party’s progress.
Also speaking, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the women Ulama were gathered to express their support for Tinubu based on his achievements.
Sani said the Ulama had highlighted Tinubu’s interventions in education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and security as reasons for supporting his administration.
He said the women represented millions of followers across the 19 northern states and could influence grassroots mobilisation.
The governor said Tinubu had demonstrated inclusivity by ensuring that development reached different parts of the country without discrimination.
Sani particularly highlighted investments in education, skills development and student financing, saying northern Nigeria had benefited significantly from the programmes.
He said the region accounted for more than 60 per cent of beneficiaries under some Federal Government skills based education initiatives.
Sani said the gathering was organised in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Kabiru Masari.
He urged the women Ulama to take their message to communities across the northern states, local government areas and wards.
Sani said the North had benefited significantly under Tinubu’s administration, adding that the claim was supported by data and statistics.
“We should talk about the politics of issues and ask what previous administrations did for Northern Nigeria compared with what President Tinubu has done,” he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari urged the women Ulama to remain committed to supporting Tinubu, describing the gathering as evidence of grassroots support.
He said the President was aware of the meeting and had sent his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who could not attend.
Masari said Gbajabiamila was absent because he had taken his ailing mother to hospital, praying for her recovery.
He urged the women to remain steadfast, saying the administration would not deliberately betray the trust placed in it.
Masari also defended the presidential ticket, saying supporters backed the arrangement because of their conviction and belief in its leadership potential.
He urged Nigerians to reject ethnic and religious discrimination, stressing that leadership should be based on justice, competence and integrity.
Masari appealed to the women to reject political deception and remain focused on issues affecting the country.