KANO, Nigeria — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa APC Forum (Kano State Chapter) has officially announced the withdrawal of its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The announcement, contained in a press statement dated April 17, 2026, and signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Dr. Sallah Hakilu Kibiya, marks a significant departure for a key bloc in a region that was instrumental to the President’s 2023 victory.
Governance Failures Cited
The Forum stated that its decision followed “extensive consultations and careful reflection” on the current state of the nation. In a stinging critique of the administration, the group cited three primary reasons for pulling its backing: nepotism, incompetence, and corruption.
The Forum stated that its decision followed “extensive consultations and careful reflection” on the current state of the nation. In a stinging critique of the administration, the group cited three primary reasons for pulling its backing: nepotism, incompetence, and corruption.
The group stated that it could no longer, “in good conscience,” support a political direction that it believes undermines national unity and institutional integrity.
Kano APC Rebuttal: “A Faceless Group”
The official Kano State Chapter of the APC has moved quickly to contain the fallout. In a counter-statement issued on April 18, 2026, State Publicity Secretary Auwalu Abdullahi Soja described the forum as a “faceless group” that is not a constitutionally recognized organ of the party.
The official Kano State Chapter of the APC has moved quickly to contain the fallout. In a counter-statement issued on April 18, 2026, State Publicity Secretary Auwalu Abdullahi Soja described the forum as a “faceless group” that is not a constitutionally recognized organ of the party.
The official party leadership, under Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the President, dismissing the withdrawal as a “calculated attempt to cause confusion and disunity.”
Growing Northern Volatility
The developments in Kano come amidst a broader climate of political maneuvering in the North ahead of the 2027 elections. While other influential bodies like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have previously criticized the administration for prioritizing campaigns over security, other segments remain loyal. The North-Central APC Forum, for instance, recently declared its full support for the President, citing progress in infrastructure.
The developments in Kano come amidst a broader climate of political maneuvering in the North ahead of the 2027 elections. While other influential bodies like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have previously criticized the administration for prioritizing campaigns over security, other segments remain loyal. The North-Central APC Forum, for instance, recently declared its full support for the President, citing progress in infrastructure.
As political alignments continue to shift, the split within the Kano support base underscores the challenges the presidency may face in maintaining a united front in the North as the 2027 electoral cycle intensifies.
