The reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday got a boost as the Northern Youths endorsed his candidature and reelection.
The Youths which is made up of the nineteen Northern States, also donated the sum of N200 million for the purchase of nomination and expression of interest forms for the President.
In 2023, the All Progressives aspirants purchased their nomination and expression of interest forms at the cost of N100 million. The amount was highly criticised by political pundits and social commentators.
APC has not come out to state how much its nomination and expression of interest forms would cost in 2027.
The Northern Youths, under the name Nigeria Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) made their announcement of support and endorsement during a high-level youth engagement held on Monday in Abuja, attended by youth leaders, professionals, grassroots mobilisers, and political stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria.
According to them the donation was a demonstration of their commitment to political participation and national development.
Malam Murtala Mohammed Garba, leader of the NNYLF, explained that the contribution reflects the forum’s desire for policy continuity and the consolidation of reforms initiated under the Tinubu administration.
“We believe that investing in the nomination process is a critical step to ensure stability, reform continuity, and youth-inclusive governance,” Garba said.
In their communiqué, they emphasised that Nigerian youths are key drivers of national stability, democratic consolidation, and sustainable development.
However, beyond their financial support, they pledged to undertake coordinated, peaceful, and issue-based youth mobilisation across Northern Nigeria to strengthen democratic participation and civic engagement.
Other resolutions included advocating for increased youth representation in policy dialogue and governance, institutionalising youth-led platforms for leadership development, and forging partnerships with government, traditional institutions, and the private sector to advance initiatives in leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic education.
On behalf of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), Tanko Yakassi expressed gratitude for the donation, calling it a “generous and impactful contribution” that demonstrates the Northern youth’s faith in President Tinubu’s leadership.
He stressed that the funding would directly support the procedural steps needed for Tinubu’s nomination, ensuring a smooth and credible process ahead of the 2027 election.
The NNYLF’s action marks one of the largest youth-led financial endorsements in recent political history, underscoring the growing influence of organised youth platforms in shaping national politics.
The forum urged Nigerian youths to embrace responsible political participation and collaborate with credible youth-led platforms to drive measurable development outcomes across the country.
The National Leader of the Forum, Malam Murtala Mohammed Garba, speaking to the media said: “With the support of our BOTs, our grand patrons, many of them are here, some are represented by others. And also with the support of the DG, the Tinubu Support Group is also from the North.
“We have made this to show that yes, we, the Northern youth leaders, are professional bodies among us, both at home and in the diaspora, and we have decided to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with N200 million under the custody of our BOTs and other leaders.
“When they decide to sell the form, we are coming out to purchase the form for Mr President for his second term because we believe in the unity of Nigeria. We believe in the agreement between lthe ate President Buhari and Baba Ahmed Tinubu.
“Southern Nigeria should finish their eight years, then Northern Nigeria will come in. Just as the DG has said, we in Northern Nigeria believe, you can see all people that have come here, we have all tribal leaders, both Muslims and Christians, all the tribal leaders across the 19 Northern states are here.
“Our grand patron Nuhu Ribadu even said we should invite the south – the South-East, South-West and South-South, all are here for us to stand that yes, we are with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we believe in what he is doing in terms of security, agriculture, infrastructure.
“I have been to Sokoto, and we have seen what he is doing from Sokoto to Badagry. We have seen what he is doing from Bauchi down to Taraba, Benue, Kaduna Road, and Kano.
“In terms of all this, that is what inspired us to come out and support this solidarity, and you can see we have invited the grandson of Tafawa Balewa, the first and only Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Without their support, this thing would not have happened. You know this is not just something of one man. The faces you see are not hired or chartered crowd. We are realists, and we believe Tinubu will have the highest vote in Northern Nigeria.”
