BREAKING: I want the northern leaders to know that should Tinubu find his way back to power in 2027, the north will suffer untold neglect –Timi Frank

According to This Day Live, A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has leveled serious accusations against President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the president is deliberately inciting regional tension between the north and the south as part of a political strategy for the 2027 general elections. Frank’s concerns center on what he perceives as Tinubu’s ambition to retain power at any cost, including by manipulating ethnic divisions within the country. He has described the upcoming 2027 contest not as a national election based on ideas or competence, but as a personal battle for survival against a region—specifically the northern part of Nigeria.

Timi Frank issued the statement on Wednesday, warning citizens across both regions to be wary of political tactics that risk inflaming tensions. According to him, Tinubu’s current moves are aimed at consolidating the support of the southern electorate, which he believes the president is pursuing by creating a divide with the north. Frank said this is being done not through transparency or issue-based advocacy, but rather through what he sees as calculated manipulation, including the use of threats and inducements. These claims have sparked discussion across political circles and among Nigerians trying to make sense of the president’s approach to governance ahead of the next election.

He expressed particular concern about the methods being employed to win political support, especially the targeting of opposition figures across the southern states. Frank stated that several governors belonging to opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are being subjected to a dual strategy of pressure and coercion. On one hand, he alleged that Tinubu is attempting to align with them using ethnic sentiments to secure their backing, while on the other hand, he is allegedly threatening them with severe consequences, including the possibility of declaring a state of emergency in their states, based on accusations of violence or corruption.

The accusation of using emergency declarations as a political tool raises further questions about the integrity of the federal structure and the independence of state administrations. Frank warned that such actions could undermine democracy and erode trust in the presidency. He also argued that these moves are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader strategy to weaken opposition strongholds in the south while alienating the north through political narratives designed to provoke mistrust. His message, therefore, extended beyond political elites to the broader populace, whom he urged to resist being drawn into such divisive tactics.

Frank emphasized that the stakes in the 2027 general elections should not be reduced to regional allegiance or ethnic solidarity. Instead, he stressed that Nigerians should prioritize competent leadership that is capable of addressing the country’s numerous challenges. Among these challenges, he noted issues such as insecurity, economic instability, and youth unemployment, which he said require attention from leaders committed to national unity and good governance. He cautioned both northern and southern leaders not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of division in what should be a democratic and issue-driven political contest.

He went further to make a direct appeal to northern leaders and citizens, urging them to consider carefully what lies ahead if Tinubu secures a second term. According to Frank, the northern region stands to face significant neglect if Tinubu returns to office, arguing that the president and the APC do not genuinely care about the interests of the north. He said the evidence for this can already be seen in the administration’s policies and appointments, which he claimed are not reflective of inclusive governance. His argument was that such neglect would likely intensify if Tinubu were to secure another term without accountability.

According to him, “I want the northern leaders to know that should Tinubu find his way back to power in 2027, the north will suffer untold neglect as Tinubu and the APC don’t have their genuine interest at heart.