In a bold political move, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has announced his self-appointment as the Director General of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking in Minna, the state capital, on Tuesday, Bago declared Niger State the headquarters for Tinubu’s anticipated campaign and pushed back against internal party debates over regional power-sharing, underscoring an “unwritten understanding” between Nigeria’s North and South to alternate presidential leadership.
“I’m now the self-imposed Director General of the Tinubu campaign for 2027, and Niger State is the campaign headquarters for Asiwaju 2027,” Bago stated, using Tinubu’s widely recognized honorific. His remarks come amid rising speculation about the APC’s strategy for the next election cycle, particularly as some northern party members advocate for a candidate from their region. Bago dismissed these calls as disruptive, arguing that rotational governance has been critical to national unity.
Citing Nigeria’s political history, the governor emphasized that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, completed his two-term tenure before Tinubu, a southerner, assumed office in 2023. “There is an unwritten understanding in Nigeria for power to rotate between the North and the South. This has brought peace to this country,” he said. “We completed the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and Asiwaju is just in his second year.”
Bago’s self-declared role—and his decision to position Niger State as the campaign’s central hub—signals an early effort to consolidate support for Tinubu within the APC. While the party has yet to formally announce its 2027 campaign structure, the governor’s remarks highlight evolving dynamics between regional factions. Critics have long debated the equity of Nigeria’s informal power-sharing arrangement, which aims to balance representation in the ethnically diverse nation of over 200 million people.
The governor’s comments also reflect broader tensions within the ruling party, which has faced internal dissent over economic policies and governance challenges. Tinubu’s administration, elected on promises to revive Nigeria’s economy and address security crises, has drawn mixed reactions as reforms like fuel subsidy removals trigger skyrocketing inflation. Bago’s vocal endorsement positions him as a key ally, though his unilateral campaign declaration raises questions about internal coordination.
Analysts note that Niger State, a northern region with agricultural and mining potential, could serve as a strategic base for rallying voter support. However, Bago’s criticism of northern aspirants underscores the delicate balance required to maintain party cohesion.
As Nigeria approaches the next electoral cycle, Bago’s stance amplifies debates over power rotation—a tradition without legal backing but deeply ingrained in political negotiations. Whether his early campaign maneuvering will unify the APC or deepen regional rifts remains to be seen, but the declaration has undeniably shifted focus to Tinubu’s re-election ambitions nearly three years ahead of the vote.
