The Traditional Youth Forum of Nigeria has pledged to mobilise young people and grassroots communities nationwide in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing his administration’s youth-focused initiatives.
The forum announced its position during a visit to former Nasarawa State Governor and Renewed Hope Zonal Ambassador for the North Central, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, in Abuja.
The group, which describes itself as an apolitical socio-cultural organisation comprising youth leaders across emirates and chiefdoms in Northern Nigeria, said its decision followed what it considered the administration’s efforts to address youth concerns.
Its National Chairman and spokesperson, Aliyu Shehu Yusuf, said the organisation had resolved to support Tinubu despite its non-partisan status.
“Even though we are an apolitical organisation, having experienced neglect over the years, we have decided to identify with a government that has the interest of the youth,” Yusuf said.
He added, “The government of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has therefore offered us that hope, and we have unanimously accepted to work with him ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Yusuf cited the student loan scheme and other government interventions as reasons for the endorsement, saying the forum intended to publicise the administration’s achievements among young people.
“Mr President has done a lot of things for youths in this country, from the student loan initiative and a lot of other interventions too numerous to mention. We are therefore going to be the mouthpiece of Mr. President in propagating his achievements,” he said.
The forum chairman also appealed to Al-Makura to convey its support to the President, declaring that its members were prepared to campaign across the country.
“Please tell Mr President to go and sleep, as we will go all over the country to propagate his good works,” he said.
Responding, Al-Makura welcomed the endorsement, describing the visit as an encouraging sign of greater youth participation in politics and national development.
“Your visit and commitment give me hope for a better Nigeria, with youth taking the centre stage of political engagement and development,” he said.
The former governor said the Renewed Hope initiative was designed to explain the administration’s policies and achievements to Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots.
“One of the thrusts and rationale behind the creation of Renewed Hope is the enlightenment, dissemination and justification of the actions, policies and activities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Al-Makura acknowledged that some government reforms had caused initial hardship but urged Nigerians to be patient, arguing that the measures were intended to improve the economy and create resources for development.
He specifically defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying the resulting savings could support infrastructure projects and other public investments.
Among the projects he cited were the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Abuja-Nasarawa-Plateau-Bauchi-Gombe highway corridor, which he said could improve connectivity, trade and security.
“What we solicit from the electorate is their understanding and patience for these reforms and initiatives to succeed,” he said.
Al-Makura expressed confidence that Nigerians would appreciate the administration’s efforts over time if Tinubu secured a second term.
“Asiwaju is the subject, project and solution of Nigeria,” he added.
He urged the youth leaders to take the administration’s message to their communities and work with the six Renewed Hope zonal ambassadors to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
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