The Traditional Youth Forum of Nigeria has pledged to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing the administration’s youth-focused initiatives and economic reforms.
The forum made the pledge during a courtesy visit to former Nasarawa State Governor and Renewed Hope Zonal Ambassador for the North Central, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, at his office in Jabi, Abuja.
The organisation, which comprises youth leaders across emirates and chiefdoms in Northern Nigeria, described itself as apolitical but said its decision to support Tinubu was driven by what it considered the administration’s interventions in youth development.
Its national chairman and spokesperson, Barr. Aliyu Shehu Yusuf, said the forum had resolved to identify with the administration to advance young people’s interests and strengthen their participation in governance.
“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. 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 said.
He described Al-Makura as a political mentor and champion of the Renewed Hope agenda, adding that the forum sought his support as it prepared to mobilise young people nationwide.
“We have come today to show our support to you. Please tell Mr President to go and sleep, as we will go all over the country to propagate his good works,” he said.
Yusuf cited the student loan initiative and other government interventions as reasons for the endorsement, insisting that it was voluntary and not prompted by any political party or individual.
He said the forum would serve as a platform for communicating the administration’s achievements to young people and grassroots communities, adding that it had not committed itself to any other political party.
Responding, Al-Makura welcomed the endorsement, describing it as an encouraging sign of youth participation in political engagement and national development.
The former governor, who recalled his involvement in youth politics during the era of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), said the forum’s commitment offered hope for greater youth participation in shaping the country’s political future.
“Your visit and commitment give me hope for a better Nigeria, with youth taking the centre stage of political engagement and development,” he said.
Al-Makura said the Renewed Hope initiative was designed to explain the administration’s policies, justify its decisions and communicate its 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.
He acknowledged the initial hardship associated with some economic reforms but urged Nigerians to be patient, arguing that the measures were intended to deliver long-term benefits.
On the removal of petrol subsidy, Al-Makura said the policy had freed resources for investment in infrastructure and development. He cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Abuja-Nasarawa-Plateau-Bauchi-Gombe highway corridor as projects expected to improve connectivity, trade and security.
He urged Nigerians to assess the administration’s policies against their long-term objectives and allow the reforms time to deliver results.
“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 by the end of Tinubu’s second term, should he win re-election.
Describing the president as central to Nigeria’s development aspirations, he said: “Asiwaju is the subject, project and solution of Nigeria.”
He also urged the forum’s members to sustain their collaboration and work with the six Renewed Hope zonal ambassadors to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting was attended by forum executives and stakeholders, All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders, traditional rulers, journalists, friends and associates of the president.