BABANGIDA ALIYU BACKS BAGO’S SECOND TERM BID, CALLS FOR TINUBU SUPPORT IN 2027

By Aliyu Lawal

Former Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, has declared support for the re-election bids of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Aliyu made the declaration while inaugurating 25 Local Government Area coordinators, women and youth mobilisers of the Bago Actualisation Group for New Niger in Minna.

He charged the coordinators to extend their activities to their respective villages and wards, while urging the group to work towards its stated target of securing over 60 per cent of the votes for the Tinubu-Bago ticket in the forthcoming elections.

The former governor explained that his position was informed by the zoning arrangement reportedly agreed upon by critical stakeholders in Niger State in 1999, which provided for the rotation of political leadership among the state's three senatorial zones.

According to him, as a former governor and beneficiary of the arrangement, he would not support any move that could undermine the agreement.

He therefore called on stakeholders from Zone A to respect the arrangement and allow Governor Bago to complete his second-term bid, stressing the importance of continuity in the state's leadership.

Explaining why he was supporting an APC governor despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aliyu said the crisis within the PDP had divided the party into different camps.

He identified himself with the faction led by Tanimu Turaki, which, according to him, had directed its members to support President Tinubu's re-election.

Aliyu, however, said he had taken the position further at the state level by declaring support for Governor Bago, citing what he described as the governor's record of achievements.

He urged his supporters and members of the group, irrespective of their political affiliations, to participate actively in the 2027 elections.

The former governor also cautioned against actions capable of undermining the zoning understanding among political stakeholders in Niger State, urging citizens to prioritise the state's political stability and development.

In his remarks, the Niger State Commissioner for Lands and Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Bello Ahmed Agwara, pledged loyalty and support to the group and Dr. Babangida Aliyu's position on Governor Bago's re-election bid.

Agwara expressed concern over criticisms directed at the former governor on social media, questioning the political contributions of some of his critics.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Bago Support Organisation (BSO) and former Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ibrahim Muhammad Panti, said members of the group remained committed to supporting Governor Bago, President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Other dignitaries at the inauguration included the State Coordinator of the Bago Actualisation Group, Tsalha Attahiru Kontagora; Coordinator of Bago Ruga Ruga, Alhassan Shiroro; representatives of Matan Niger and Talba Boys; the Chairman of Fruit Sellers; and Hajiya Talatu Salga.

The speakers pledged their commitment to the group's political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.