A prominent Yoruba leader and public affairs commentator, Dr. Oyedele Oyewumi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a more inclusive political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections by selecting a Hausa/Fulani as his running mate while supporting the emergence of a Senate President from the South-East.
Speaking on Thursday in Lagos, Oyewumi said such a political configuration would strengthen national unity, uphold the principles of federal character, and promote a greater sense of belonging among Nigeria’s major ethnic groups.
He noted that his position aligns with the recent remarks of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who warned that Nigeria must never be allowed to descend into another civil war, stressing that several of the conditions that led to the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War still persist in various forms across the country.
According to Oyewumi, President Tinubu has demonstrated courage and determination in implementing reforms aimed at advancing Nigeria’s development. He added that history now presents the President with another opportunity to further cement his legacy by embracing policies and political decisions that promote national inclusion.
“The President has shown remarkable courage in taking difficult decisions in the interest of the country, and we will continue to encourage him to do even more. As we approach another electoral cycle, there is a need to consciously strengthen the bonds of national unity through equitable political representation,” he said.
Oyewumi argued that choosing a Hausa/Fulani as the Vice Presidential candidate while zoning the office of the Senate President to the South-East would reflect the country’s major political blocs and reassure all regions that they remain valued stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He also urged President Tinubu to rise above past political differences and embrace a spirit of reconciliation.
“He should forgive whatever shortcomings may have existed on the part of the Hausa/Fulani and the Igbo people and look beyond previous political disagreements. Leadership demands magnanimity, especially at critical moments in the nation’s history. This is an opportunity to heal old wounds and reinforce national cohesion,” he stated.
The Yoruba leader maintained that political inclusiveness remains one of the most effective tools for preserving peace, reducing ethnic tensions, and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He expressed optimism that if President Tinubu embraces a more balanced political arrangement that reflects the country’s diversity, future generations would remember him as one of Nigeria’s most courageous and unifying leaders.
“If the President hearkens to this advice and takes deliberate steps to balance the nation’s political leadership in a manner that accommodates all major blocs, history will remember him as one of the greatest leaders Nigeria has produced. His legacy will not only be measured by economic reforms but also by his commitment to national unity, justice, and fairness,” Oyewumi concluded.