Northern dissatisfaction with Tinubu could affect 2027 elections, Ndume warns
Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume (Borno South) has raised alarms over growing discontent in northern Nigeria with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that the unrest could have significant electoral consequences in 2027 if left unaddressed.
Speaking on Arise News Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Ndume clarified that he did not hold the President personally responsible for the rising grievances but attributed the issues to the advisers and aides surrounding him.
“Anybody that tells you the north is not grumbling now is not telling the truth,” Ndume said. “It will be loud in their votes if nothing is done about it.
”The good thing about it is that the president can turn things around.”
Ndume explained that northern leaders had previously sought to engage President Tinubu constructively.
”He himself participated in initial and final meetings between northern elders and the President, where he observed that Tinubu was well-prepared and brought along key appointees from the north, creating what Ndume described as “a wonderful session.”
Despite these efforts, Ndume revealed that the engagement process stalled shortly afterward.
“He promised that it would continue, but it never happened,” he said, stressing that the failure to sustain dialogue has fueled the current dissatisfaction.
The former Senate Leader contrasted Tinubu’s present governance team with the strong and capable advisers he had during his tenure as Lagos State governor, suggesting that the President’s success in Lagos was rooted in the quality of his inner circle.
“Most of the good people are not there now.
”They have been side-lined,” Ndume said.
He further criticised some presidential aides for elitist isolation and lack of grassroots connection, stating that many are disconnected from the realities of Nigerian society.
“They only know Ikoyi and Victoria Island. From there, they fly to London or America, where their families are living. They are not even full Nigerians,” Ndume said.
“Instead of surrounding himself with people who would tell him the truth, he chose advisers who don’t know politics.”
Ndume warned that urgent steps were needed to address the northern grievances, cautioning that continued neglect could deepen dissatisfaction and translate into a strong electoral backlash in 2027.
