The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has announced a rescheduling of its highly anticipated interactive session to assess President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Initially slated for May 20 and 21, 2025, the event will now take place on June 24 and 25, 2025, in Kaduna.
The shift, officially confirmed by the Foundation’s secretariat on Tuesday, was attributed to the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage season, which has engaged a significant number of northern political stakeholders, policymakers, and participants.
The postponed session was organized to evaluate the performance of President Tinubu’s administration midway into his tenure, ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. According to the foundation, the session will serve as a platform for comprehensive review, stakeholder engagement, and accountability.
In an earlier statement issued on May 5, 2025, the Director-General of the Foundation, Abubakar Umar, explained that the session aims to assess the government’s delivery on its campaign promises across vital sectors. These include national security, economic reforms, food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and transparency.
Umar noted that the upcoming June forum builds upon the Foundation’s successful 2022 pre-election engagement, where presidential aspirants—including then-candidate Tinubu—presented their development agendas and pledged commitments toward the advancement of northern Nigeria.
“This session is crucial to bridging the gap between policy formulation and public perception. It will help dispel misinformation and clarify the intent and impact of federal government initiatives under President Tinubu,” Umar stated.
The Foundation clarified via its official WhatsApp platform that the postponement was necessitated by the current Hajj operations. Many influential northern figures involved in the session are either participating in or coordinating Hajj-related activities.
“The programme has been shifted to June 24 and 25, 2025, due to Hajj. We have started issuing new invitation letters, and the agenda remains unchanged apart from the revised dates,” the statement read.
A formal press release confirming the new schedule will be issued in the second week of June, it added.
The Ahmadu Bello Foundation’s move aligns with broader northern regional efforts to scrutinize federal governance performance. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) recently unveiled its plan to establish a dedicated review committee to evaluate President Tinubu’s policy outcomes across northern states.
Speaking during a meeting in Kaduna, the Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, emphasized the North’s commitment to regional interests over partisan loyalty.
“We have received proposals for this body to appoint a special committee to conduct a detailed review of the policies, projects, and programs of the current administration,” Dalhatu said.
He reiterated that support in the 2027 elections would be granted based on alignment with northern development priorities, not just political affiliations.
The postponement comes amid mounting pressure on President Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate tangible results, especially in the North, where concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and infrastructure deficits remain prevalent.
Observers say the June session could shape political narratives and endorsements ahead of the 2027 polls. With northern blocs playing a decisive role in past elections, the feedback from this session could significantly influence voter sentiment.
As regional power brokers regroup, the June engagement will offer a vital opportunity to reflect on midterm governance and set expectations for the remaining years of the administration.