2027: Transport Union Pledges 5 Million Votes to Tinubu.

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, pledging to mobilise support across all 774 local government areas and deliver at least five million votes for his re-election.

RTEAN President Musa Maitakobi made the announcement on Sunday in Abuja while hosting a delegation of the All Progressives Congress Jagaban Squad. During the visit, he was formally installed as Life Patron of the group.

Maitakobi highlighted RTEAN’s nationwide network and strong membership as key factors enabling the association to play a decisive role in the 2027 polls.

“RTEAN chairmen in every state are fully committed to ensuring victory for the APC. Once the campaign officially begins, our mobilisation efforts will intensify,” he said.

As part of the association’s support, Maitakobi announced the donation of a fully branded bus to the Jagaban Squad to enhance its visibility and mobility within the Federal Capital Territory. The bus will display the group’s insignia alongside photographs of President Tinubu and will serve as a mobile platform for the Abuja coordinator to showcase activities.

He added that discussions are ongoing with APC stakeholders to secure additional buses to strengthen nationwide mobilisation ahead of the general election. Describing RTEAN as one of the country’s most organised political support structures, Maitakobi noted that the association has functional leadership in all local government areas and over five million registered members.

Plans are also underway to convene a national convention to publicly reaffirm RTEAN’s political direction and continued support for President Tinubu.

Recalling RTEAN’s early endorsement of Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Maitakobi said members actively participated in campaign rallies across the country, including in Jos, Kano, Ogun, and Jigawa. He revealed that his loyalty to the APC came at personal cost, including the demolition of his house in his home state.

Looking forward to 2027, Maitakobi assured that the association’s mobilisation efforts would surpass previous elections. “By the grace of God, our focus is now on 2027. Compared to the past, our efforts this time will be doubled and multiplied,” he said.

Maitakobi also praised the Tinubu administration for initiatives in the transport sector, particularly the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and filling stations, which have benefited transport unions, including RTEAN, and other labour centres. He expressed optimism about the establishment of a dedicated Transport Bank to support operators, similar to the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture.

In his remarks, APC Jagaban Squad National Coordinator Adekunle Alebiosu thanked RTEAN for its support, describing the association as a formidable organisation capable of significantly boosting grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

“RTEAN is a formidable organisation with a strong nationwide structure. Its support will greatly enhance grassroots mobilisation for the APC in the 2027 presidential election,” Alebiosu said.