Amid growing economic hardship, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has sounded a strong warning: Northern Nigeria is mobilizing against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Lawal, a former ally turned critic of Tinubu, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the president’s economic policies, which he claims have worsened poverty and left the North disillusioned.
His remarks echo concerns raised by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who has also warned that Tinubu’s administration risks facing a backlash similar to the one that led to Goodluck Jonathan’s electoral defeat in 2015.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, Lawal said the northern Nigeria feels abandoned by the current government, describing Tinubu’s economic policies as “nail-biting reforms” that have only deepened suffering.
He insisted that the region is reaching a consensus to seek an alternative candidate in 2027.
“The North is seriously mobilizing with a consensus that Bola Tinubu must give way in the 2027 election,” Lawal stated.
“If these policies continue for another four years, northern Nigeria will turn into one large refugee camp,” he added.
El-Rufai, through his verified X handle (formerly Twitter), had earlier shared a post suggesting that Tinubu’s support base in the North has eroded significantly within two years of his administration.
The post, originally written by APC member Uche Diala, warned that the South West and Tinubu’s loyalists are underestimating the level of northern discontent.
Lawal reinforced this sentiment, stating that even within the North, some political elites—such as APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje—are merely defending the government for personal gain rather than representing the masses.
“Ganduje and some others benefiting directly from this government are just irritants. They are justifying their positions in this rogue government, ignoring what the rest of northern Nigeria is going through,” he added.
While the debate continues on whether the North should seek a new leader from within its ranks or support a southerner with a nationalistic vision, Lawal maintained that one thing is certain: Tinubu should not be given a second chance.
“It’s not about elite consensus; it’s about the masses. Even if some elite pretend to support Tinubu, they won’t vote for him because they are also feeling the impact of these harsh policies.”
With 2027 still on the horizon, the growing northern discontent signals a potentially tough reelection battle for President Tinubu, as more voices within his former stronghold call for change.
