“Our Fathers Have Spoken” – Middle Belt Youths Back Tinubu For Second Term

Youths from the Middle Belt have declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, announcing a political mobilisation campaign in collaboration with the City Boy Movement and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The movement, championed by aviation entrepreneur and political figure, Isaac Balami, follows a meeting between Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt elders led by elder statesman, General Theophilus Danjuma, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Balami said the youths had decided to align with the political direction of their elders and mobilise support for the president ahead of the next general election.

“Our fathers have spoken. They have met the father. We have equally met the son. The movement has begun. We have listened to the voices of our elders, and as young people, we believe it is time to take responsibility for the political future of our region,” he said.

The mobilisation is expected to involve the leadership of the City Boy Movement, including Seyi Tinubu, its Director-General, Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, and the APC campaign council.

Balami, who is an executive board member and National Director on Special Duty of the City Boy Movement, had earlier led a delegation of Middle Belt youths to meet Seyi Tinubu, where the group reportedly pledged to mobilise 10 million votes for President Tinubu from the region.

The latest declaration marks a shift from the group’s political position during the 2023 presidential election, when Balami mobilised support for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Obi recorded strong electoral performances in Plateau and Nasarawa states, among other parts of the region, where he enjoyed considerable support, particularly among young voters.

Balami said the decision to support Tinubu in 2027 was informed by what he described as the growing recognition of the Middle Belt in the current administration, including appointments to strategic government positions and the region’s involvement in national decision-making.

“One of the things we are looking at is the opportunity given to people from the Middle Belt to serve this country at the highest levels. We cannot talk about inclusion without recognising when our people are given opportunities to contribute to national leadership.

“We have people from our region occupying important positions in this government. For us as young people, representation matters. We want a government where our people have a voice and can contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.

He added that the group, in collaboration with the City Boy Movement, would embark on a mobilisation campaign across the Middle Belt to canvass support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Balami also cited insecurity as one of the issues informing the emerging political realignment, noting that communities across the region had suffered attacks, kidnappings, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.

He said any improvement in the security situation deserved recognition but stressed the need for sustained government efforts to protect vulnerable communities.

The youth leader also listed infrastructure, education, employment and economic opportunities as areas requiring greater government attention.

According to him, the movement would provide a platform for young people to participate in politics and contribute to decisions affecting the region.

“We are not just interested in supporting a presidential candidate. We want our young people to be part of the process, to have opportunities, to contribute ideas and to be involved in governance.

“The Middle Belt has enormous human and natural resources. Our people deserve infrastructure, quality education, jobs and an environment where businesses can thrive,” he said.

The announcement followed Thursday’s meeting between Tinubu and a delegation of prominent Middle Belt and North-Central leaders led by Danjuma.

Other members of the delegation included Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; businessman Thomas Etuh and Dr Poju Bitrus.

Speaking after the meeting, Dogara said the delegation visited the president to express solidarity with his administration and discuss issues affecting the region, particularly security, development and political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.

The emergence of the Middle Belt Youths for Asiwaju signals an effort to translate the political engagement of regional elders into a broader youth-led campaign for Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.

It also points to a potential shift in political mobilisation in a region where Obi secured significant support during the 2023 election.