Tinubu Blames Opposition for Premature 2027 Campaigns, Reaffirms Focus on Security and Development in North East

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accused opposition parties of dragging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) into premature political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that his focus remains firmly on delivering quality governance to Nigerians.

Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with governors from the North East region, led by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The governors pledged their support for the president, stressing their resolve to work with his administration to leave behind lasting legacies for the country.

In their presentation, the governors outlined key demands, including stronger efforts against insecurity and critical infrastructure development. Zulum highlighted the unique challenges of the North East, pointing to vast unmanned forests, deserts, and mountains that have become difficult-to-govern spaces and exacerbated security concerns. He commended Tinubu’s initiatives in training manpower and adopting technology to combat insurgency and promote agriculture under the Renewed Hope agenda.

President Tinubu, in response, acknowledged the region’s struggles and praised the governors’ use of the civilian Joint Task Force alongside security agencies. He suggested that conversations with the National Assembly on state police could provide an additional layer of safety tailored to local communities. According to him, “Politics apart, we can discourse with the National Assembly leadership to look critically at how to make state police indigenous to the community and effective.”

On politics, Tinubu said the opposition’s tactics would not derail him. “We are being drawn into early political activities from rival parties, but I am not distracted. I remain solidly focused on what lies ahead. Politics will happen at its time, but governance must remain our priority,” he said.

The governors also thanked the president for interventions against flooding, desertification, and other environmental challenges that have long plagued the region. They called for continued military operations across hotspots such as Lake Chad, Sambisa, and Mandara Hills, as well as financial support for the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Other requests included the completion of major road and rail projects such as the Kano–Maiduguri highway, the Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri rail line, and several key routes across Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Yobe States. They also urged the federal government to resume oil exploration in frontier wells, particularly Kolmani and Lake Chad.