Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu completes his tenure, urging Nigerians to remain patient with the Federal Government as it tackles insecurity, poverty and other challenges facing the country.
Zulum made the remarks on Sunday in Kaduna shortly after an engagement meeting with Northern Nigeria women Ulama and Islamic scholars.
The governor said Northern leaders had resolved to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term, based on an understanding that political power would subsequently return to the North.
According to him, the decision was part of efforts to promote national unity and sustain peaceful coexistence between Northern and Southern Nigeria.
“About five years ago, we decided to ensure unity in Northern Nigeria, and we have achieved our objective,” Zulum said.
He explained that the North had supported Tinubu’s emergence as President, stressing that the political understanding reached between the two regions should be sustained.
Zulum said Northern leaders remained committed to fulfilling agreements reached with their Southern counterparts on the rotation of political power.
He urged Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration and give it the opportunity to consolidate its policies and programmes.
The governor said issues including insecurity, out-of-school children and poverty were among the major challenges discussed during engagements with Northern elites.
He said far-reaching decisions were reached to address the challenges confronting the region and improve the welfare of its people.
Women’s Role in Peacebuilding
Zulum also highlighted the important role of women in promoting peace and stability, particularly because of their influence within families and communities.
He said the engagement with women Ulama was designed to promote unity, peace and understanding across the country.
The governor urged the participants to take the messages from the meeting back to their respective states and communities and replicate similar engagements.
“Women should be given the opportunity to nurture their children so they can live in peace,” he said.
Zulum said peace remained the major desire of people across Northern Nigeria, noting that residents continued to pray for an end to insecurity.
He also called for patience in dealing with the challenges confronting the region, citing Islamic teachings on perseverance during periods of difficulty.
“Whenever God tests us with a trial, patience is necessary before relief comes,” he said.
Zulum Defends Power-Rotation Understanding
The Borno governor maintained that political differences should not be allowed to undermine peaceful coexistence between Northern and Southern Nigeria.
He recalled that Northern leaders had previously supported Southern Nigeria after benefiting from political power, arguing that similar political understanding should be maintained between the two regions.
Zulum said the North should allow the South to complete its tenure while working collectively to determine the region’s political future.
“I speak from the heart, not out of fear of anyone, but in the name of God,” he said.
He expressed confidence that justice would ultimately prevail and called on Nigerians to work together to address areas requiring improvement.
The governor commended the organisers of the women Ulama meeting, describing the initiative as important to strengthening peace, unity and understanding.
Women and Political Participation
Zulum further stressed the importance of women in Nigeria’s political process, particularly in Borno State.
He estimated that women accounted for between 60 and 65 per cent of votes cast in Borno, highlighting their potential influence in shaping political outcomes.
He therefore urged women to play a greater role in initiatives promoting peace, unity and responsible political participation.
The governor’s comments come amid continuing political discussions over the 2027 presidential election and the issue of power rotation between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.
