Supporters of President Bola Tinubu in the North-West geopolitical zone have dismissed the emerging coalition of opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections as a futile political venture.
Operating under the aegis of the ‘Shehi and Matawalle Project for Tinubu 2027,’ the group declared that the alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, “cannot stand the test of time.”
The group made the declaration on Saturday during the inauguration of its North-West zonal and state executive committees in Kaduna.
Addressing journalists at the event, the group’s Publicity Secretary, Auwal Mohammed, said the primary objective of the movement was to mobilise support across the region for President Tinubu’s re-election bid under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He argued that the opposition coalition was driven by desperation rather than national interest, insisting that Tinubu remained the most credible and tested option to lead the country beyond 2027.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the coalition of Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai and their likes is nothing but a waste of time and resources.
“They lack the structure, the vision, and the national appeal needed to defeat a leader like Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope agenda is already yielding results,” Mohammed said.
He maintained that President Tinubu’s administration had taken bold, people-focused steps to reposition the economy through “formulated policies that are gradually placing Nigeria on the path of growth.”
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of the movement, Hon. Babangida Damba, highlighted some of the major policy decisions of the Tinubu administration which, according to him, had positively impacted the masses.
He listed the removal of petrol subsidy, the unification of foreign exchange rates, road rehabilitation projects, and rural electrification as key reforms implemented by the current administration.
“President Tinubu has succeeded in stabilizing the economy despite global and local economic challenges. Through reforms and strategic programs, he has uplifted many Nigerians out of poverty,” Damba stated.
Addressing the newly inaugurated executives, Damba charged them to be “ambassadors of the Renewed Hope agenda” in their respective states, with a mandate to “mobilize, educate, and sustain grassroots support for the return of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.”
He added, “As newly inaugurated executives, your mission is to strengthen the political base, reach out to all communities, and ensure no stone is left unturned in delivering victory to President Tinubu come 2027.”
Also speaking at the event, the Zonal Secretary of the group, Dr. Ahmad Hashim, described the Shehi and Matawalle Project as a “strategic grassroots movement” rather than just another political campaign outfit.
He said the project draws its strength from the “deep-rooted structures and political relevance” of two key Northwest leaders—former Zamfara State Governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and Senator Abdulazeez Yari, a former governor of Zamfara.
“This project is not just a campaign structure; it is a strategic political movement designed to ensure continuity and consolidation of Tinubu’s progressive leadership,” Hashim declared.
He described both Matawalle and Yari as “political giants and seasoned statesmen who have remained steadfast in their commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria.”
According to him, their influence in the North-West is pivotal to ensuring massive support for the APC and President Tinubu in the region ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The contributions of Matawalle and Yari to Nigeria’s democratic growth are not in doubt. Their alliance under this project is a testimony to their loyalty to the party and to the President,” he said.
He urged members of the group to remain focused, united, and strategic in engaging the grassroots, warning against complacency ahead of the next general elections.
