The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, has confirmed that the North strongly backs President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027. This comes despite rumours that some groups are trying to team up against him.

He said this on Monday in Ibadan during a media roundtable organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B.

Zone B covers all six South-West states and is led by Mrs. Ronke Afebioye-Samo.

Bashiru dismissed the rumors about a northern conspiracy against Tinubu’s re-election, calling them “a complete lie.” He said the president is enjoying warm support in northern cities such as Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe.

“It’s not true to say the North is ganging up against Tinubu,” he explained, speaking confidently from his knowledge. “I rely on the words of Amilcar Cabral: ‘Tell no lies, claim no easy victories.’”

He pointed out that support for Tinubu in the North is obvious, with celebrations happening in many states like Kano, Katsina, and Gombe. A song called ‘Omo Ologo,’ sung by Dauda Kahutu Rarara, has become a popular anthem in northern communities in support of Tinubu.

Bashiru also dismissed the opposition coalition called ADC as a “mushroom party”—meaning it’s a small, irrelevant group full of people looking out only for themselves.

He added that the APC’s support in the North is strong, mentioning states like Sokoto, Bauchi, Kebbi, and Zamfara as examples.

He also said that respected northern leaders are backing President Tinubu, unlike those spreading false rumors in bars and cafes.

Bashiru warned that there’s no vacancy in Aso Rock (the presidential seat) until 2031 and asked anyone hoping to become president to wait their turn.

He pointed to APC’s recent election victories, which have a success rate of over 75%, as proof that the party is popular across the country. “People voting for us are Nigerians,” he emphasized, “not foreigners from Togo, Cameroon, or elsewhere.”

He praised Tinubu’s leadership style, saying he’s inclusive and making progress on infrastructure, with support growing in the North.

Bashiru also said that the recent resignation of APC’s former National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, doesn’t pose a crisis for the party.

Finally, he mentioned that he is interested in running for governor of Osun State in 2026 and believes he has a very good chance of winning.