A Nigerian political figure has called on leaders in the country’s southern regions to defend President Bola Tinubu against opposition from what he described as a small but influential faction in the north aiming to undermine his 2027 reelection bid. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, issued the appeal during a press briefing in Osogbo on Sunday, framing it as part of a recurring pattern of regional political tensions.
Oyintiloye argued that Tinubu, a southerner who assumed office in 2023, has historically aligned with northern political interests and merits reciprocal support for a second term. However, he alleged that a minority group in the north has repeatedly sought to destabilize southern-led administrations through tactics like intimidation and smear campaigns. “The nation’s political history is filled with examples of southern presidents facing undue pressure from a handful of northern elites during reelection efforts,” he said, urging recognized northern leaders and traditional rulers to isolate those he accused of “self-appointed” authority.
The former legislator appealed directly to southern political and cultural figures—including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who heads the Council of Southern Traditional Rulers, and former Nigerian leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan—to counterbalance these perceived threats. He emphasized the need for solidarity to “break the cycle of hostility” toward southern presidents seeking second terms, stressing that unified backing for Tinubu could stabilize national politics and ensure equitable development across regions.
Oyintiloye specifically called on southern traditional leaders to collaborate with northern counterparts to secure broader support for Tinubu’s 2027 campaign. He also referenced eminent figures such as Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and former Senate President Ken Nnamani, urging them to “defend southern Nigeria from northern power brokers.” While acknowledging the president’s existing ties with major northern political blocs, he cautioned against complacency, warning that “blackmail and misinformation” could jeopardize Tinubu’s agenda.
The remarks reflect long-standing tensions in Nigeria’s ethnoregional politics, where power dynamics between the predominantly Muslim north and Christian-majority south have influenced presidential elections since the return to democracy in 1999. Tinubu, who previously governed Lagos State and played a key role in forming the APC, has faced scrutiny over economic reforms and security challenges during his first year in office. Oyintiloye framed the president’s potential reelection as critical to maintaining national unity, asserting that a second term would enable continuity in policies aimed at addressing regional disparities.
The statement comes amid broader debates about power rotation and inclusivity in Nigerian governance, with critics often accusing elites of prioritizing sectional interests over national cohesion. While no specific individuals or groups were named as opponents, Oyintiloye’s rhetoric underscores the heightened political maneuvering expected ahead of the 2027 polls.
