Akpabio courts northern youths for Tinubu’s reforms ahead of 2027

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to northern youths to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its economic reform programme, as political groups in the region intensify engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, describing the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market as difficult but necessary measures to address longstanding structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s economy.

The Senate President argued that the reforms should not be viewed simply as policy decisions but as deliberate attempts to redirect government resources towards critical sectors of the economy.

“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential,” Akpabio said.

He acknowledged that the policies had created significant challenges for Nigerians, but maintained that they were necessary to reposition the economy and create room for greater investment in healthcare, education and infrastructure.

According to him, the administration is already recording what he described as early gains, including improved revenue collection, stronger investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.

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However, the claim of improving economic indicators comes against a backdrop of continuing public concern over the impact of reforms on household incomes, living costs and purchasing power, making public acceptance of the policies a critical political issue for the administration.

Akpabio therefore urged northern youths to move beyond political spectatorship and become active participants in governance and national development.

“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he told the delegation.

He said the 10th National Assembly was committed to strengthening transparency, accountability and the rule of law, while urging young Nigerians to scrutinise information and engage government constructively.

The meeting also took on a distinctly political dimension as the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly outlined its priorities ahead of 2027.

Its spokesperson, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, praised Akpabio for what he described as efforts to strengthen political understanding between northern and southern interests, saying his engagement had helped rebuild trust across regional lines.

Dan-Musa stressed that national unity must remain above regional interests, arguing that political and ethnic considerations should not threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty and peace.

The group identified three priorities for its political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections: sustained consultation with northern youth organisations, grassroots education on federal fiscal policies and a firm commitment to national cohesion.

The engagement highlights the growing importance of northern youth constituencies in the political calculations ahead of 2027, particularly as the Tinubu administration seeks broader public support for economic policies whose immediate social costs have generated significant debate.