2027: Over 600 Northern Lecturers Endorse Tinubu, But ASUU Distances Itself
More than 600 senior academics drawn from public universities across Northern Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement was made at a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Kaduna and convened by Ibrahim Masari, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Political Matters.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, brought together academics alongside several northern governors, federal ministers and other political figures.
According to reports on the meeting, representatives of academics from the North-West, North-Central and North-East participated in the discussions.
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The Vice Chancellor of Kaduna State University, Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, reportedly read the communiqué in which the academics declared their support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“We resolved to express our support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in the 2027 presidential election.”
Academics acknowledge hardship
The endorsement was not presented as unconditional.
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The academics reportedly acknowledged the economic difficulties Nigerians have experienced under the Tinubu administration, including higher living and transportation costs and inflationary pressures.
However, they also credited the administration with progress in areas including education financing, agriculture, infrastructure, investment and the digital economy.
They consequently called for stronger action on food prices, unemployment, insecurity and other issues affecting Nigerians, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
The academics also stressed that their support should not be interpreted as a “blank cheque”, urging the government to remain responsive to citizens and accept legitimate criticism.
ASUU rejects association with endorsement
The development, however, has generated an important clarification from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, reportedly distanced the union from the endorsement, stressing that the union is apolitical and does not take partisan positions.
This means the endorsement should be attributed to the participating academics or the group of senior academics involved in the Kaduna meeting—not to ASUU as an organisation.
Who attended?
Among the political figures reported to have attended the engagement were Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Defence Minister Bello Matawalle, Housing Minister Muttaqha Rabe Darma and former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari were also reported to have attended.
