Arewa Forum Denies Opposing Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Bid

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kano has denied reports that it opposes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential candidacy as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election. State chairman Gwani Farouk Umar said a recent statement attributed to the ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Muhd Tukur Baba, does not reflect the forum’s position. Umar addressed journalists on Wednesday, dismissing a BBC report that quoted Professor Baba as saying the group did not support Tinubu’s sole candidacy for the APC ticket in 2027. He emphasized that the comments were not made on behalf of the ACF, that the forum is displeased with the statement, and that the Kano chapter has disavowed the remarks. Umar urged the national body of the ACF to scrutinize any political declaration before it is made public.

Umar noted that this is not the first instance of a representative of the ACF making a statement later denied by the forum. He recalled a previous incident in which a representative supported a candidate in an election, only for the forum to subsequently reject the statement. The chairman called on the leadership to caution Professor Baba to prevent a recurrence.

In a separate development, Umar praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for presenting a bill to the state assembly that would grant local governments full autonomy. He urged lawmakers to pass the bill and called on anti‑corruption agencies to ensure that public funds are not misused. The ACF had previously met with representatives of political parties ahead of the 2023 general elections and secured their commitments to the forum’s demands.

The denial by the ACF’s Kano chapter highlights the importance of clear communication and coordination within the organization. As the 2027 presidential election approaches, the ACF’s position on key issues will be closely watched. The forum’s efforts to promote good governance and accountability, as evident in its support for local‑government autonomy, are likely to remain a focus of its activities.