By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
As the road to Nigeria’s 2027 general elections begins to take shape, the Northwest remains a formidable political stronghold. With its unmatched voting strength and historical ability to steer the national political discourse, the region’s role in the emerging landscape cannot be ignored.
Traditionally, any serious bid for the presidency must pass through the North. This time, the dynamics are being shaped by an intentional and strategic partnership between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State. Kaduna, often regarded as the political heartbeat of the North, is once again at the centre of these evolving alignments.
This synergy was evident at a recent high-level gathering in Kaduna, where governors, ministers, lawmakers, and traditional leaders from across the Northwest convened in a rare display of unity. The meeting ended with a clear and unanimous declaration: there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027.
Governor Uba Sani chaired the forum, which saw the endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin. Their endorsement was not mere political formality. It pointed to tangible developments: a renewed security framework, transformative infrastructure projects, and an allocation of twelve ministerial positions to the Northwest—evidence of the zone’s growing political relevance under Tinubu’s administration.
Within this context, the Tinubu-Uba Leadership Network (TULN), a grassroots-oriented political platform, has stepped up its efforts to consolidate support for the continuity of the current administration’s policies. On 9 June 2025, TULN paid a solidarity visit to political elder and former presidential aspirant, Hon. Sani Mohammed Sha’aban, in Zaria. A son-in-law to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Sha’aban remains an influential figure in Kaduna politics.
The visit was not ceremonial. It was a strategic move, an act of intergenerational handshake and coalition-building ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely competitive election. The TULN delegation, led by General Secretary Charity Alex and National Coordinator Dr Victor Mathew Bobai, presented a case for continuity grounded in policy performance rather than political sentiment.
Their argument was straightforward: under President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, the region has witnessed visible improvements. Farmers displaced by insecurity have begun returning to their fields. Federal projects are sprouting across key states. Communities previously sidelined are now active participants in national development.
From Sokoto to Zamfara, Katsina to Kaduna, federal presence is no longer a promise, it is evident in roads, schools, hospitals, and social services. And despite lingering challenges, there is a growing sense of inclusion.
Governor Uba Sani has emerged as a unifying force in this transformation. In a region marked by complex political alliances and deep social divides, he has forged connections across ethnic and religious lines. His leadership has turned Kaduna into a model of inclusive governance. Southern Kaduna, long marginalised, has benefited from increased institutional presence, while northern districts have seen infrastructure and education expanded.
The establishment of the Federal University of Education and Federal School of Nursing in Zaria, along with proposed colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and the planned Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, are clear examples of regionally-conscious development. The creation of a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan reflects the same deliberate policy direction.
Furthermore, the appointment of General Christopher Musa Gwabin, a native of Southern Kaduna, as Chief of Defence Staff sends a strong message about balanced national security leadership. His tenure has already contributed to a significant drop in abductions and violence in Southern Kaduna, once plagued by relentless insecurity.
In Zaria, the TULN delegation received a warm welcome from Sha’aban, who offered both endorsement and strategic counsel. He encouraged the expansion of the network’s activities across all 23 local government areas of the state and openly praised Dr Bobai’s leadership. His support was unambiguous and delivered with the assurance of a political veteran: “Follow the one who knows the road.”
As preparations for 2027 intensify, grassroots credibility and strategic foresight will be essential. Under Bobai’s direction, TULN is fast becoming more than a support group; it is an engine of mobilisation, coordination, and influence.
For observers questioning the Northwest’s stance on Tinubu’s leadership, recent developments provide clear answers. The emphatic endorsement from Kaduna stakeholders, the consolidation of Governor Uba Sani’s political base, and the growing reach of TULN all point in the same direction: the region is firmly behind President Tinubu, not out of loyalty alone, but because of shared interests and ongoing development.
The 2027 contest will not be decided by nostalgia or emotion. It will hinge on delivery, trust, and structure. President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani have consistently demonstrated all three. Their partnership is not about transactional gain, but about shaping a transformative agenda for Nigeria’s future.
As political momentum builds, the message from Zaria remains quietly powerful: the journey to 2027 may be demanding, but the Northwest knows the path. And it is choosing to follow leaders who do too.
