Okay News reports that a delegation of northern leaders, under the aegis of the Arewa Think Tank, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, to reaffirm their collaboration with the South-West in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The meeting, which took place at the residence of Afenifere’s National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, symbolized a rare display of national unity and regional cooperation across Nigeria’s political landscape.
Leading the northern delegation, Muhammad Yakubu, convener of the Arewa Think Tank, stated that the visit was to appreciate the South-West for producing a president whose leadership had, according to him, demonstrated vision and courage in addressing national challenges.
“We are here to renew our relationship with the South-West and to reassure you that the North will stand by President Ahmed Tinubu,” Yakubu said. “We thank you for giving us a president who has a mission and has been performing impressively in the last two years. We are here to present to you his midterm scorecard, which shows visible progress in governance and development.”
Yakubu explained that the Arewa Think Tank comprises professionals from the 19 northern states, with former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Mukhtar Yero, serving as its chairman. He noted that the collaboration between the North and South-West had begun yielding positive results for the country, adding that the unity between both regions must be strengthened to ensure continued national progress.
Speaking on behalf of Afenifere’s leader, Pa Fasoranti, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and traditional ruler of Ilu Abo in Ondo State, Oba Olu Falae, commended the northern delegation for their show of solidarity and commitment to a united Nigeria.
Falae praised President Tinubu’s courage in tackling difficult national issues such as fuel subsidy removal and the unification of exchange rates, noting that those reforms, though painful at the beginning, were necessary steps toward economic recovery.
“We thank God that we have a president who understands Nigeria’s problems and has the courage to address them,” Falae said. “No previous government had the will to remove the fuel subsidy or correct multiple exchange rates. President Tinubu took that bold step. It was tough, but it was necessary, and we are beginning to see results.”
He further expressed optimism that Tinubu’s administration, backed by continued North–South cooperation, would benefit the entire nation and promote stability across regions.
Also speaking, Afenifere’s Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, described the northern leaders’ gesture as a welcome development and expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
The meeting between Afenifere and the Arewa Think Tank, political observers note, reflects a growing sentiment for national cohesion, signaling that regional interests can align under a shared vision for Nigeria’s future.
