The endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid by former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, could significantly reshape the political contest for votes in the Christian-dominated Middle Belt and parts of Nigeria’s North-East ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
However, with several communities still battling persistent killings, displacement and insecurity, a major question remains: Can Danjuma’s influence persuade voters in the region to support Tinubu despite their unresolved grievances?
Danjuma’s open declaration of support for the President has introduced a new political dimension, particularly in the North-Central and parts of the North-East, where the retired general commands considerable respect among sections of the political, traditional and Christian leadership.
Sources familiar with his position suggest that Danjuma believes the South should be allowed to complete two terms of eight years in the presidency, following the eight years served by former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North. According to this reasoning, Tinubu should be permitted to serve a second term in the interest of national unity and political balance.
Danjuma is also a prominent financier of Christian causes in northern Nigeria. In 2019, he reportedly played an important role in mobilising Christian support for Buhari’s re-election.
His financial resources, reputation and longstanding relationships within Christian communities have given him considerable standing, particularly in the North-East and North-Central regions.
His latest endorsement, coming barely ten weeks before the January 16, 2027 presidential election, is therefore significant not only because of his background as a former Chief of Army Staff and defence minister, but also because of the constituencies where his intervention could influence political choices.
From his home state of Taraba to Adamawa, Plateau, Benue and parts of Kaduna, Danjuma remains an influential voice among sections of the Middle Belt’s political and religious leadership.
Nevertheless, his support for Tinubu raises an important question. Can the endorsement of one influential individual overcome the anger and frustration of communities that continue to experience insecurity, killings, displacement and the destruction of their livelihoods?
The answer could determine whether the endorsement becomes a major electoral advantage for Tinubu or remains an influential but limited political declaration.
How the Endorsement Unfolded
Danjuma’s position became clearer during the weekend at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Adamawa State Government House Chapel in Yola, where he called on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election rather than that of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Represented at the event by former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, Danjuma argued that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated some level of inclusiveness through the appointment of Christians to important government positions.
He maintained that such appointments showed a willingness to accommodate different religious interests, despite the controversy surrounding the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket during the 2023 election.
Danjuma also announced a donation of ₦250 million towards the expansion of the Government House Chapel and the construction of residential accommodation for the chaplain and deputy chaplain.
The endorsement followed his participation in a high-level delegation that met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, November 5.
Members of the delegation included Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.
After the meeting, Dogara explained that the delegation had visited the President to demonstrate solidarity and discuss political cooperation, security and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
The sequence of events suggests that Danjuma’s endorsement was more than a ceremonial expression of goodwill. It represents a significant intervention at a time when the APC is seeking to strengthen its political support across northern Nigeria.
Why Danjuma’s Intervention Matters
Danjuma’s political influence cannot be measured solely by conventional electoral standards. He does not lead a political party or operate the kind of grassroots political machinery associated with career politicians.
Rather, his influence comes from his military background, longstanding relationships with northern political leaders, philanthropic activities and the respect he commands among sections of the Middle Belt.
He is also known for speaking out on security challenges, particularly the failure of government institutions to protect vulnerable communities.
This background makes his endorsement of Tinubu particularly noteworthy. It potentially provides the President with a respected intermediary in communities where conventional political assurances may no longer carry sufficient weight.
However, influence should not be mistaken for automatic control of electoral choices. The Middle Belt is politically diverse, and its grievances are deeply rooted. No single individual, regardless of stature, can guarantee that an entire region will vote for a particular candidate.
The results of the 2023 presidential election offer a useful indication of both the opportunities and challenges facing Tinubu.
What the 2023 Election Results Reveal
In the 2023 presidential election, the North-Central region delivered 1,670,091 votes to Tinubu, making it his second-largest source of northern support after the North-West.
However, the regional figures concealed significant resistance to his candidacy in several states with substantial Christian populations.
In Plateau State, Peter Obi of the Labour Party secured 466,272 votes, defeating Tinubu, who polled 307,195. Atiku received 243,808 votes. Obi’s margin over Tinubu was 159,077 votes.
The result showed that Plateau, despite the APC’s established political structures, was not a guaranteed presidential stronghold for the ruling party.
In Benue State, Tinubu recorded a narrow victory with 310,468 votes against Obi’s 308,372, a difference of just 2,096 votes. Atiku came third with 130,081 votes.
The outcome was particularly significant because Benue had already been grappling with serious security challenges and disagreements over the protection of farming communities.
Nasarawa State also presented a challenge for the APC. Obi won with 191,361 votes, ahead of Tinubu’s 172,922 and Atiku’s 147,093. The difference between Obi and Tinubu was 18,439 votes.
These results from Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa demonstrated that a considerable section of the electorate in the North-Central was not persuaded by Tinubu’s candidacy in 2023, notwithstanding the APC’s political structures across the region.
Consequently, the challenge for Tinubu in 2027 is not merely to attract new voters but also to understand and address the concerns that influenced voters’ decisions in the previous election.
Taraba: Danjuma’s Immediate Electoral Test
Taraba State provides one of the clearest opportunities to assess the possible impact of Danjuma’s endorsement.
Although geographically located in the North-East, Taraba shares deep political, ethnic and cultural connections with the Middle Belt.
In the 2023 presidential election, Atiku won the state with 189,017 votes. Obi came second with 146,315 votes, while Tinubu finished third with 135,165 votes.
The results showed that Tinubu trailed Atiku by 53,852 votes, while the combined votes secured by the opposition candidates were considerably higher than his total.
Danjuma’s influence among sections of Taraba’s political establishment could help the APC attract voters who were previously divided between the PDP and Labour Party.
The political situation in the state has also changed since the last presidential election.
Governor Agbu Kefas, who won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the PDP, defected to the APC in December 2025. His movement into the ruling party gives Tinubu a political advantage that was not available during the previous presidential election.
A combination of Kefas’s political and administrative network and Danjuma’s influence could strengthen the President’s chances in the state.
Nevertheless, Taraba’s political dynamics extend beyond party affiliations. Different communities have established political loyalties, and it cannot be assumed that all former PDP supporters will automatically follow their governor into the APC.
Atiku also retains a recognised political constituency, while Peter Obi, now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), remains another option for voters who supported him in 2023.
Taraba therefore presents an opportunity for Tinubu, but the state cannot yet be regarded as a guaranteed APC stronghold.
Adamawa: A Challenge to Atiku on His Home Ground
The significance of Danjuma’s endorsement is equally important in Adamawa State, which is Atiku Abubakar’s home state and one of his strongest traditional electoral bases.
Tinubu’s ability to make significant gains in Adamawa could depend on how effectively the APC combines Danjuma’s influence with its political structures and the support of influential political figures in the state.
The endorsement may provide an additional advantage in the contest, but translating it into votes will depend on the response of local communities, political leaders and voters.
Ultimately, Danjuma’s intervention has created a new opportunity for Tinubu to strengthen his support in the Middle Belt and parts of the North-East. However, the President’s electoral prospects will also depend on whether the concerns of communities affected by insecurity are adequately addressed.
For many voters, political endorsements and promises of national unity may not be enough. Their decisions in 2027 could be shaped by the security of their communities, protection of their livelihoods and confidence in the government’s ability to respond to their needs.
