Raging Rift: APC Reacts As Arewa Forum Fractures Over Tinubu’s Re-Election Bid

A fresh rift is unfolding within the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) following conflicting remarks from its leaders over President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The controversy was triggered after ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Baba, openly criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for reserving its presidential ticket solely for Tinubu.

Speaking in a BBC interview monitored in Kaduna on Wednesday, Baba argued that the ruling party’s stance undermined democratic principles and unfairly excluded other aspirants.

“Our Forum is not a political party, but we take interest in governance and politics. What we do is enlightenment,” he explained.

“The APC must allow any interested member to contest, in the interest of fairness and democracy. Every Nigerian has a constitutional right to run for office once they meet the requirements of the law.”

Kano Chapter Rejects Baba’s Comments

In a swift reaction, the ACF Chairman in Kano State, Dr. Goni Faruk Umar, dismissed Baba’s remarks as a personal opinion, insisting they did not represent the Forum’s official position.

“It is wrong for anyone to speak on behalf of ACF without proper authorization. If Prof. Baba has a personal view, that is his right, but he cannot speak for the Forum,” Umar stated.

He stressed that only the Forum’s Executive Council could make such pronouncements, adding that ACF is a non-partisan socio-cultural body that must avoid being seen as backing any political party or candidate.

Umar recalled a similar controversy during the 2023 elections when individuals falsely claimed ACF had endorsed a candidate, forcing the Forum to publicly deny the report.

APC Defends Tinubu’s Backing

Meanwhile, APC’s Director of Publicity, Malam Bala Ibrahim, defended the party’s position, noting that while the Constitution grants all eligible Nigerians the right to contest, political parties also reserve the freedom to support candidates of their choice.

“The Constitution allows anyone qualified to contest, but a party has its preferences. That does not stop others from running, though the party will ultimately choose the candidate it considers most suitable,” Ibrahim said.

Tinubu’s Endorsements Already Flowing In

In May 2025, APC leaders from the North-West, including governors, ministers, lawmakers, and party executives, formally endorsed Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

Although President Tinubu himself has not yet declared his intention, analysts say the early endorsements highlight Nigeria’s political elite’s obsession with elections rather than governance.

Observers warn that this preoccupation risks stalling development, as leaders devote more energy to power struggles than to tackling the nation’s pressing challenges.

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