When government officials and northern stakeholders converged at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna for a two-day interactive session on governance and citizens’ engagement, expectations were high. The event, held from Tuesday, July 29 to Wednesday, July 30, was designed to serve as a bridge between the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government and the northern region — a political stronghold that played a pivotal role in his 2023 election victory.
But despite the presence of high-ranking officials, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and a carefully curated lineup of speakers, the summit fell short of its strategic goal: to win the hearts and minds of the region and position the President for a smooth path toward 2027.
While the venue buzzed with activity, speeches, and high-powered engagements, insiders and observers described the outcome as “flat” and “disconnected” from the grassroots pulse of northern Nigeria. According to sources who spoke to *Weekend Trust*, the summit failed to capture the collective sentiment of the North or assuage its growing discontent.
A Carefully Choreographed Event
From all indications, the summit was meticulously organized. Government spokespersons and allies had clearly prepared to present the administration’s achievements — from infrastructure projects to agricultural interventions and fiscal reforms. However, the substance of the government’s narrative struggled to take root, as skepticism among regional actors remained palpable.
The presence of powerful northern stakeholders such as traditional leaders, youth representatives, and political actors was meant to add legitimacy to the dialogue. But the dominance of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and other independent voices quickly shifted the tone of the event from celebration to critique.
Observers noted that despite the overwhelming attendance of federal government functionaries from the North, including ministers and special advisers, the event did not resonate with the region’s broader expectations — especially in light of increasing murmurs that the Tinubu administration has tilted development efforts more towards the southern part of the country.
ACF Overshadows the Government’s Message
What was supposed to be a showcase of presidential performance turned into a platform for unresolved frustrations. The ACF, in particular, was vocal in its dissatisfaction with what it described as “uneven development” and a “sense of exclusion” felt by many in the northern region.
“It was more of a civil conversation gone rogue,” said a political analyst who attended the session. “The president’s men tried to manage the narrative, but the delegates from the North, especially the older guard, had other ideas. They used the moment to speak truth to power.”
Several speakers from the ACF and affiliated bodies challenged the administration’s policies, asking pointed questions about insecurity, rising poverty, and the slow pace of federal appointments and interventions targeting the North.
The 2027 Factor
Political observers believe the event had an underlying motive: to test the waters for President Tinubu’s re-election prospects in the North ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the summit may have achieved the opposite effect, further revealing the depth of disillusionment among key northern stakeholders.
“The plan was to secure a kind of subtle endorsement or at least quiet the criticism,” a source close to one of the organizers told Weekend Trust. “But the reactions from the floor showed that the presidency still has a long way to go in rebuilding trust in the region.”
Moving Forward
As the curtains fell on the two-day summit, analysts concluded that while the interactive session was a bold effort at government-citizen engagement, it missed the mark by underestimating the region’s growing frustration.
To regain lost ground, political strategists believe the federal government must go beyond rhetoric and event optics. They suggest tangible development outcomes, equitable appointments, and more direct engagement with grassroots voices, not just the elite.
“The North is watching, and the noise from Arewa House is louder than the applause,” one commentator noted.
Whether President Tinubu’s team heeds the warning signs or doubles down on its current path remains to be seen. One thing is clear: in the race toward 2027, symbolic summits alone may not be enough to secure the North’s endorsement again.
