North-Central Coalition Demands Key Condition for Backing Tinubu

In a bold move ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections, key political leaders and stakeholders from the North-Central region have set a major condition for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign: they will only back his candidacy if he replaces his current Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, with a running mate from the North-Central zone.

At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the North-Central coalition, comprising representatives from the six states of the region (Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa), along with the Federal Capital Territory, made it clear that their support hinges on this demand, after decades of political marginalisation.

Prof. Nghargbu K’tso, leader of the North-Central Renaissance Movement, expressed the frustration felt by the region, which has been excluded from the country’s highest offices since Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Despite being home to Nigeria’s seat of power, the region has never produced a President or Vice President, a situation K’tso described as an unjust political exclusion that has lasted for 65 years.

“Since 1999, the North-Central has not had the privilege of holding the office of President or Vice President, even though the region has made significant sacrifices,” K’tso said, adding that this long-standing marginalisation must come to an end in the upcoming election.

Highlighting the region’s central role in the nation’s development, K’tso pointed out that the North-Central has consistently been relegated despite its significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth. He further emphasized that as the country approaches its 65th year of independence in 2025, the North-Central zone’s exclusion from top leadership positions is a stark reminder of political neglect.

“If President Tinubu seeks re-election, we demand that his running mate be chosen from the North-Central,” K’tso declared. “We insist that Vice President Shettima be replaced, and a candidate from our region be considered. If other political parties are serious about fairness, they too must feature candidates from the North-Central region.”

While acknowledging the challenges faced by other regions like the South-East, the North-Central coalition stresses that the injustice faced by their region is particularly severe due to its geographical centrality and vital role in national cohesion. The group believes it’s time for the region to be given its rightful chance to hold one of the country’s top two positions.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 election, the North-Central’s demands signal a new level of political assertiveness, with the coalition making it clear that equity, fairness, and justice must guide the country’s leadership choices moving forward.