2027 Election: We’ll Protect Northern Votes, Says Arewa Voters Forum
The Arewa Voters Forum (AVF) has declared its determination to safeguard the political will of Northern Nigeria in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, stressing that the region’s overwhelming voting strength must no longer be undermined.
The group, in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting held in Kaduna, said the North constitutes over 54 percent of Nigeria’s voting population, according to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) statistics from the last general elections. It insisted that such a demographic reality positions the region as the “heartbeat of democratic outcomes” in the country.
AVF National Coordinator, Comrade Idrith Ibrahim Unguwar Gini, who signed the statement, said the North would no longer tolerate manipulation, forced alliances, or divisive narratives aimed at weakening its political relevance.
“Northern votes are for the North—for candidates and leadership that understand, represent, and prioritize the developmental interests, cultural identity, and political aspirations of the region. Enough is enough. We will no longer tolerate political manipulation, forced alliances, or deceitful narratives designed to divide us along religious or ethnic lines,” Unguwar Gini declared.
The Forum accused successive administrations of using government institutions, security agencies, and electoral bodies to influence election outcomes through vote-buying and propaganda, warning that such practices would be resisted going forward.
Additionally, the Forum maintained that the North is not lacking in credible candidates with proven competence, integrity, and vision to lead Nigeria, stressing that it will rally behind such individuals in 2027.
In a direct call to action, the group urged Northern youths who have attained the age of 18 to immediately register and secure their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), describing it as the most potent democratic weapon available to the electorate.
“With our PVCs, we can dismantle any administration that works against the interests of the North, and we can elect leaders who will be accountable to our people,” the Forum noted.
While emphasizing vigilance, the AVF also called on Nigerians, particularly Northerners, to embrace peace and reject violence, electoral malpractice, and other acts capable of derailing the nation’s democracy.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to working with credible stakeholders to ensure what it described as a “new democratic order” where the voice of the North will not only be heard but respected.
“We are united. We are awake. And we are ready,” the statement concluded, invoking prayers for national unity, justice, and leadership guided by the fear of God.
