A prominent northern politician has shed light on the growing calls for the removal of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The politician, speaking on the condition of anonymity in an exclusive interview with Saturday Sun, cited concerns over perceived lopsided appointments and the increasing erosion of public trust in the current administration.
According to the source, President Tinubu’s tendency to appoint individuals based on favoritism has sparked widespread discontent, particularly among many Nigerians, including influential political figures. The source explained that the appointments made by the president to key positions within the federal ministries and agencies have largely favored certain regions, leaving significant portions of the population—especially in the northern part of the country—feeling marginalized and excluded from key decision-making processes.
When pressed to elaborate on the specific grievances surrounding the administration’s approach to governance, the source highlighted the alleged imbalance in appointments, which has contributed to growing distrust. “The President’s appointments are far too one-sided,” the source remarked. “This is one of the key reasons why many Nigerians are questioning the credibility of his Tax Reform Bills. In recent history, we have never witnessed such an overwhelming dominance of one ethnic group over the financial and economic sectors of government.”
The source pointed out that many of the most critical positions in the country’s financial and economic sectors have been occupied by individuals from the president’s ethnic group, with little regard for regional or ethnic balance. “We have the Finance Minister, the head of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the chair of the Tax Reform Committee, the head of Customs, and many other top officials—almost all from the same ethnic group and the same inner circle of the president,” the source noted. “And just two days ago, the acting Accountant-General of the Federation was appointed, and yet again, this individual is from the same ethnic group, reinforcing the perception of favoritism and exclusion.”
The source continued to criticize the administration’s broader policies, describing them as “anti-social” and expressing a deep skepticism about the president’s leadership. “How can we, as northerners, trust any policy that emerges from such a one-sided system? The government’s approach has fostered division, rather than unity,” the source said. “We haven’t forgotten how the president seemed to have been preparing for a military intervention in Niger Republic, which would have directly affected the northern region. This, despite the fact that President Tinubu is a Muslim. His actions in this regard seemed to run counter to the values and interests of the northern population.”
The politician’s comments reflect growing disillusionment within northern Nigeria, as many believe that the current administration is not prioritizing the interests of the region. The widespread sentiment is that the northern political and social landscape has been largely sidelined in favor of the president’s ethnic group and allies.
As the 2027 elections approach, the discontent voiced by this politician suggests that the calls for change are likely to intensify. The mounting concerns over alleged regional favoritism, the perceived lack of inclusivity in government appointments, and the growing erosion of trust in President Tinubu’s leadership could play a significant role in shaping the political climate in the coming years. Whether these criticisms will lead to meaningful political shifts or electoral consequences remains to be seen, but the discontent in the north is palpable, and many are waiting to see how the administration will respond.
