North Has No Reason to Betray Tinubu, Says NPN Leader Rabagardama Yusuf Ali

North Has No Reason to Betray Tinubu, Says NPN Leader Rabagardama Yusuf Ali

By Our Correspondent

The Leader of the Nigerian Progressive Network (NPN), Alhaji Rabagardama Yusuf Ali, has called on Nigerians, particularly political stakeholders and youths across the North, Middle Belt, South and the diaspora, to place national interest above political and regional sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Rabagardama Yusuf Ali, a major stakeholder in the All Progressives Congress (APC), former national chairmanship aspirant and former House of Representatives leadership aspirant, made the call while speaking extensively with newsmen in Abuja.

He described himself as a consistent supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, while stressing the importance of preserving Nigeria’s unity and supporting the country’s democratic development.

According to him, the North has no reason to betray President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in view of what he described as Tinubu’s historical support for the emergence and administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu substantially supported the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari. During the burial of the late President Buhari, President Tinubu acknowledged his contributions and the place he occupies in Nigeria’s political history.

“For this reason, we in the North have no reason to betray Bola Tinubu. Politics should not be reduced to sentiment. We must remember our history, examine our gains and losses, and think about the future of Nigeria,” he said.

Rabagardama Yusuf Ali also pointed to the appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 presidential election, describing the responsibility as a national assignment requiring political stakeholders to put aside sectional interests.

He urged Nigerians to support the campaign process as a national political project rather than viewing it solely through regional calculations.

October 1: A Celebration of Nigerian Unity

Rabagardama Yusuf Ali called on Nigerians to use the October 1, 2026 Independence Day celebration as an opportunity to reaffirm national unity.

He said the occasion should remind Nigerians that, despite their political, ethnic, religious and regional differences, the country remains a common project belonging to all citizens.

“We should celebrate October 1 as Nigerians. We should look at our gains and look at our losses. We should ask ourselves what kind of country we want to leave for the next generation.

“Nigeria is bigger than any individual, political party or presidential ambition. We must stop the drums of war and begin to negotiate, engage and work together as one political family,” he said.

Call to Northern Presidential Aspirants

The NPN leader also appealed to politicians from the North who may be nursing presidential ambitions to allow President Tinubu to complete the constitutional opportunity of seeking a second term before pursuing their own aspirations.

He particularly appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as an experienced political figure, to consider playing what he called the role of an elder statesman in the interest of political stability and continuity.

Rabagardama Yusuf Ali said political ambitions should be pursued within the context of Nigeria’s broader democratic development and not at the expense of national cohesion.

“Renewed Hope Is a National Project”

According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda should not be viewed exclusively as President Tinubu’s personal agenda.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just President Tinubu’s agenda. It is a national project. It is about rebuilding Nigeria, strengthening our institutions, improving infrastructure, creating opportunities and giving Nigerians hope for a better future.

“We therefore call on Northern youths, Southern youths, Middle Belt youths and Nigerians in the diaspora to see Nigeria as a project that belongs to all of us,” he said.

Rabagardama Yusuf Ali further called on Nigerians to join the Nigerian Progressive Network, describing the platform as a national network intended to provide a space for discussions on development, national aspirations, political engagement and the future of Nigeria.

“Northerners Must Not See Themselves as Second-Class Citizens”

The NPN leader rejected the idea that Northerners should regard themselves as second-class citizens under the Tinubu administration.

He argued that political appointments and federal resources should be assessed objectively and that governors across the country should also be held accountable for the development of their respective states.

“Northerners should not see themselves as second-class citizens. We should participate fully in the Nigerian project.

“If there are areas where our states are not developing as expected, we should also hold our governors accountable. We cannot put everything on the Federal Government,” he said.

NPN Advocates Peaceful 2027 Elections

Rabagardama Yusuf Ali said the Nigerian Progressive Network would continue to advocate peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.

He explained that the organisation’s objective is to provide a platform where Nigerians can discuss developmental issues, national unity, political participation and peaceful elections.

“The 2027 election should not be a war. It should be an opportunity for Nigerians to choose their leaders peacefully.

“We must stop the drums of war. Let us negotiate for power. Let us work as a family. Let us disagree politically without becoming enemies.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and whatever political party we belong to, our ultimate responsibility should be to protect the peace, unity and future of our country,” Rabagardama Yusuf Ali added.