2027 Polls: Road Transport Employers Endorse Tinubu For Second Term

According to Ireporter Online, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election, pledging extensive nationwide mobilisation in support of his re-election bid.

The endorsement was made public on Sunday in Abuja by the association’s President, Musa Maitakobi, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Jagaban Squad. Maitakobi, who was during the visit decorated as a Life Patron of the Jagaban Squad, assured that RTEAN would deploy its grassroots structure across all 774 local government areas to support President Tinubu and the ruling party.

As part of its commitment, Maitakobi disclosed that the association would donate a fully branded bus to the Jagaban Squad to enhance its operational capacity and visibility within the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that the vehicle would carry the group’s branding alongside images of President Tinubu and would serve as a mobile platform for showcasing the squad’s activities.

He further revealed that discussions were ongoing with key stakeholders of the APC to secure additional buses to strengthen outreach efforts across the country ahead of the 2027 general election. Maitakobi described RTEAN as one of the most organised political support structures nationwide, noting that the association maintains functional leadership at the local government level in every state.

According to him, RTEAN chairmen across the federation are fully aligned with the APC and committed to delivering electoral victory, adding that mobilisation efforts would be intensified once official campaign activities commence. He also announced plans to convene a national convention where the association would publicly reaffirm its political stance and continued support for President Tinubu.

Maitakobi recalled that RTEAN openly declared support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign, stating that members of the association were visibly present at campaign rallies in states including Plateau, Kano, Ogun and Jigawa. He added that his loyalty to the party had come at a personal cost, including the demolition of his residence in his home state.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Maitakobi assured that the association’s mobilisation efforts would surpass previous campaigns, stressing that its commitment would be significantly expanded. He reiterated that members of the Jagaban Squad and RTEAN remained resolute in their support for President Tinubu.

The RTEAN president also commended the Tinubu administration for what he described as impactful reforms in the transport sector, particularly the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas vehicles and refuelling stations nationwide. He noted that transport unions and labour centres have benefited from the initiative and expressed optimism that a Transport Bank would soon be established to support operators in the sector.

Maitakobi disclosed that RTEAN boasts over five million registered members across the country and pledged the association’s continued loyalty to the Tinubu-led administration.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the APC Jagaban Squad, Adekunle Alebiosu, expressed appreciation for RTEAN’s support, describing the association as a formidable organisation with strong grassroots influence. He said the partnership would significantly enhance mobilisation efforts for the APC ahead of the 2027 presidential election and expressed confidence that the collaboration would yield positive outcomes for the party and President Tinubu.