The Hausa community in Ondo State has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term in office, citing the administration’s reforms and achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture, security and the economy.
Representatives made the endorsement of the community from the 18 local government areas of the state at an event organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Ondo State leader of Hausa in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bala Umaru, said the endorsement reflected the group’s confidence in the Tinubu administration and its desire for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Umaru said, “Today is more than a political gathering. It is an opportunity for us to speak with one voice about the Nigeria we want, and the kind of leadership we believe can take us there.
“The leader is none other than His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our decision as the Hausa community in Ondo State is to support his administration and endorse him alongside our Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, for a second term in office.”
He said the Tinubu administration inherited serious economic and social challenges but had since embarked on reforms aimed at repositioning the country for sustainable growth.
According to him, the reforms have focused on infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, investment, job creation and economic development.
His words: “These are not things that can be achieved overnight. They require patience, consistency and cooperation from all Nigerians.”
Umaru praised the administration’s road construction projects, saying good roads were critical to the economic activities of northerners who transport agricultural produce across the country.
He said: “In the history of Nigeria, there is no president that has embarked on massive road construction like the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Good roads play a significant role in the economy of we northerners. They make it easier for us to transport our goods, especially farm produce, to any part of the country.”
He also recalled Tinubu’s role in the political emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that it was natural for northerners to reciprocate the support.
Umaru said, “President Tinubu also played a significant role in installing the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is just natural for any northerner to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid.”
He said the community’s support was “rooted in our desire for a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.”
The Hausa community also commended Tinubu for his service to the country and Tunji-Ojo for his leadership and development initiatives.
His words: “I would like to sincerely appreciate Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for his outstanding leadership, commitment and continuous development of our people. We recognise not only his position as a leader but also the hard work, vision and determination he has demonstrated in serving the people.”
The Director-General of GMT, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the Hausa endorsement was the latest in a series of endorsements by ethnic communities in the state.
According to him, “Different ethnic groups in Ondo State have been endorsing President Tinubu. We started with the Ebira community. Last week, the Igbo community did their own. Today, the Hausa people from all the 18 local government areas are here to endorse the second-term bid of the President,” he said.
Yusuf-Ogunleye said the Hausa community had acknowledged Tinubu’s performance and decided that he deserved another term despite the possibility of other aspirants from the northern region contesting the presidency.
Yusuf-Ogunleye said the Hausa community, which he described as known for commitment and loyalty, voted for Tinubu in 2023 and had resolved to support him again in the next presidential election.
He also commended Tunji-Ojo for providing resources to mobilise residents and non-indigenes in the state in support of Tinubu.
A member of the GMT Board of Trustees, Hon. Adekola Olawoye SAN, described the gathering as a glorious occasion, expressing excitement over the turnout of Hausa residents from across the 18 local government areas.
The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said, “We have been mobilising non-indigenes in the state, different ethnic groups to support the President. Our target is one million votes for the President” h
Those who attended the event included the GMT Secretary, Hon. Rasheed Badmus; Director of Women Affairs, Chief Olamide Falana; Director of Media, Ojo Oyewamide; Akure South GMT Coordinator, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi; and a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Akoko North-West Constituency I, Hon. Fatai Atere.
Others included Alhaji Ismaila Muhammed, Alhaji Sanni Bature, Alhaji Bala Muhammed, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, Alfa Nura Abdullahi, Alhaji Muhammed Ingawa, Alhaji Bala Abdullahi, Alhaji Hamisu Muhammed and Hajiya Alima Abdullahi.
