Senator Ajibola Bashiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has firmly dismissed claims of a northern conspiracy against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, affirming that the North remains strongly supportive of the President.
Bashiru made this statement on Monday in Ibadan during a media roundtable organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B. The zone, led by Mrs. Ronke Afebioye-Samo, includes all six South-West states.
He described the rumoured gang-up as “a lie from the pit of hell,” stating that he speaks from a position of deep insight.
“The narrative that the North is turning against President Tinubu is completely false. I am not one to speak lightly. As Amilcar Cabral once said, ‘Tell no lies, claim no easy victories,” Bashiru remarked.
He highlighted the President’s warm reception in key northern cities such as Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, pointing to public celebrations and cultural endorsements like Dauda Kahutu Rarara’s hit song ‘Omo Ologo’, which he said has become an anthem across northern communities.
Bashiru emphasised that the APC’s northern structures remain intact and committed to Tinubu’s 2027 project, naming Sokoto, Bauchi, Kebbi, and Zamfara among states showing strong support. He also dismissed opposition chatter as “beer-parlour gossip” with no basis in political reality.
Taking aim at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, he described it as a “mushroom party” made up of self-interested actors with little political significance.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock until 2031,” Bashiru declared, urging opposition candidates to bide their time.
He cited the APC’s strong performance in recent and off-cycle elections boasting a win rate of over 75 percent as proof of the party’s national appeal.
“Those who vote for our party are Nigerians not Togolese, Cameroonians, or any foreigners,” he added pointedly.
Bashiru also praised President Tinubu’s inclusive leadership style, his administration’s infrastructure development, and the growing acceptance of his policies across the North.
Regarding the resignation of the APC’s former National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Bashiru insisted it does not signal any crisis within the party.
He concluded by reaffirming his own political ambitions, stating that he is confident of his chances in the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
