The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done more for Northern Nigeria in three years than previous administrations.

Mr Yilwatda made the claim on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Arewa for Asiwaju group, led by former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, at the APC national secretariat.

Mr Yilwatda said the Federal Government’s commitment to the North is evident in ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly road construction and gas infrastructure.

He said more than 3,000 kilometres of roads in Northern Nigeria are either under construction or have been procured under the Tinubu administration.

According to Mr Yilwatda, the scale of the projects demonstrates the President’s commitment to the region.

He also urged Northern leaders to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to improve access to higher education in the region.

APC seeks stronger Northern support

The APC chairman urged the Arewa for Asiwaju group to work closely with the party in mobilising voters across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mr Yilwatda said the group’s efforts should go beyond the presidential election to include the National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

He also called for a press conference involving prominent Northern political leaders to publicly communicate their support for Mr Tinubu and counter claims that the region is withdrawing its backing for the President.

Arewa Group: ‘we want to change the narrative’

Earlier, Mr Shekarau said the Arewa for Asiwaju initiative was established to mobilise voters across the North and the FCT, identify areas of weak electoral performance and tackle voter apathy and low turnout.

He said the group has established about 20 directorates and appointed coordinators across states, local government areas and wards.

Mr Shekarau said the group had documented projects and programmes undertaken by the Tinubu administration across the North and would work to make those achievements more visible to residents.

He argued that many Northerners were unaware of some of the projects being implemented in their communities.

2027 Politics

The development comes as the APC intensifies its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Arewa for Asiwaju secretariat is scheduled to be inaugurated on 17 October, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima expected to attend.

Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who is the group’s Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees, described the initiative as a coalition of experienced political leaders seeking to strengthen the APC’s performance in the North.