The Northern Progressives Coalition (NPC), comprising over 1,000 organizations, has declared its support for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima's re-election bid in 2027. The endorsement was made during a gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders, civil society groups, and youth representatives from Nigeria's 19 northern states in Abuja ¹.
Reasons Behind the Endorsement
The NPC cited the Tinubu-Shettima administration's targeted reforms and inclusive policies as reasons for their endorsement. According to NPC Convener Usman Abdullahi, the administration has significantly uplifted Northern Nigeria through initiatives such as ²:
- *Education Reforms*: Establishment of over 120 learning centers across Northern senatorial districts, equipped with solar power and safe water systems, and revitalization of 101 Almajiri and Tsangaya education centers in states like Bauchi, Niger, Kaduna, and Kano.
- *Infrastructure Development*: Major projects like the ₦740.79 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Highway, and the ₦305 billion Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road dualization.
- *Economic Empowerment*: Tax exemptions for small-scale traders, incentives for agro-processors, and empowerment programs under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
NPC's Call for Continuity
Abdullahi emphasized the need for policy continuity, warning against treating the 2027 election as a year of political experimentation. He described the Tinubu-Shettima administration as the "most dependable leadership" in Nigeria's 65-year post-independence history ³.
Key Achievements Highlighted
The NPC highlighted several key achievements of the administration, including ² ⁴:
- *National Student Loan Scheme*: Over 396,000 students have benefited from the scheme, with Northern students accounting for 55% of beneficiaries, receiving over ₦45 billion of the ₦77 billion disbursed.
- *Healthcare Initiatives*: Commissioning of a state-of-the-art oncology center in Katsina, reducing the need for cancer patients to travel to Lagos or Abuja for treatment.
- *Infrastructure Projects*: Dredging of the River Niger around Lokoja and the BUA Group-funded Bode Saadu-Kaima-Kosubosu Road, boosting mobility and commerce in the North.
The NPC's endorsement of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket signals a growing support base for the administration in Northern Nigeria. As the 2027 presidential election approaches, it will be interesting to see how this development impacts the political landscape ³.
