Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has accused President Bola Tinubu of exploiting ethnic divisions in a bid to strengthen his position ahead of the 2027 elections.

Frank expressed concern over the growing ethnic tensions in the country and warned that Nigeria cannot afford leadership that fuels such division. He stressed the importance of choosing a leader who will focus on national development, not regional or tribal loyalty.

“Nigeria needs a president who will unite the country—not someone who promotes being a ‘Northern’ or ‘Southern’ candidate,” he said.

According to Frank, President Tinubu is deliberately trying to pit the South against the North, framing the 2027 election as a personal showdown between himself and Northern interests. Frank believes this is a tactic to gain the support of Southern leaders while sidelining the North, which played a major role in Tinubu’s 2023 victory.

He further alleged that Tinubu is pressuring Southern governors from opposition parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, and APGA to join the APC. He claimed the president is using threats, including potential declarations of state of emergency in some states, to force defections and silence opposition.

“Tinubu is using fear and manipulation—blackmailing opposition leaders into joining his camp, while threatening them with corruption charges or violence claims,” Frank added.

Frank appealed to Northerners to reconsider their continued support for Tinubu, stating that they are among the hardest-hit groups under his leadership.

He concluded by urging all Nigerians to reject tribal politics in the 2027 elections and instead support a candidate who can solve the country’s ongoing challenges in the areas of economy, security, and governance.

“Let’s focus on who can fix Nigeria—not where they come from,” he said.

As of now, the Presidency has not issued an official response to the claims made by Timi Frank.