Group dismisses reports as deliberate distortion, cites Senator’s record of empowering youths and calls for support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid
The Senator Yari National Unity Project for Tinubu 2027 (SYNUP 4 Tinubu 2027) has dismissed reports suggesting that Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, described Nigerian youths as “lazy”, insisting that his remarks at the party’s rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, were taken out of context.
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the group described the reports circulating in sections of the media and on social media as deliberate misrepresentation of the Senator’s comments.
According to SYNUP, Senator Yari made the remarks during the APC presidential campaign rally held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, November 6, 2026, while addressing issues surrounding food availability and the rising cost of living.
The group explained that the former Zamfara State Governor began by acknowledging the economic realities facing Nigerians, stating, “We have hunger,” before speaking about food availability in markets and the importance of hard work and productivity in overcoming economic challenges.
It maintained that Senator Yari neither mentioned nor described Nigerian youths as lazy, arguing that the interpretation being circulated was a distortion of his actual remarks.
SYNUP consequently urged Nigerians to watch the full, unedited video of the rally rather than rely on headlines and excerpts circulating online.
While acknowledging the economic difficulties confronting households across the country, the group said the Senator’s message centred on the importance of work, enterprise and productivity as pathways to economic recovery and individual prosperity.
Yari’s record of youth empowerment
To reinforce its position, SYNUP highlighted several initiatives and interventions attributed to Senator Yari, which it said demonstrated his commitment to education, youth development, employment and humanitarian support.
Among them is the Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Scholarship Initiative, established in 2024 and personally funded by the Senator. According to the group, the programme currently supports 2,055 orphans and indigent students studying across 19 public and private tertiary institutions in the North-West.
The initiative reportedly disbursed ₦216 million in tuition fees during its first year, provides beneficiaries with a monthly stipend of ₦15,000 and guarantees sponsorship through graduation.
The group also disclosed that Senator Yari facilitated the enlistment of 84 young men and women from the six local government areas of Zamfara West into the Nigerian Army’s 86th Regular Recruit Intake, with another 74 recruited during the 87th intake.
It further cited his support for farmers through the provision of fertilisers, agrochemicals and agricultural equipment, describing the interventions as efforts to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen livelihoods and enhance food security.
SYNUP also recalled that during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State between 2011 and 2019, his administration announced the recruitment of 1,000 NCE-qualified teachers in 2017 to strengthen primary education and create employment opportunities for qualified graduates.
In the area of humanitarian assistance, the group noted that Senator Yari distributed food items and clothing to 10,000 orphans across Zamfara State during the 2024 Ramadan and Sallah celebrations.
According to SYNUP, these interventions demonstrate a consistent commitment to improving the welfare and opportunities available to young Nigerians.
SYNUP expresses confidence in Yari’s leadership
The group also expressed confidence in Senator Yari’s capacity to lead the Tinubu/Shettima 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2026.
It highlighted his political and administrative experience, including his service as a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011, two-term Governor of Zamfara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum from 2015 to 2019, and current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
SYNUP noted that the Campaign Council had commenced its mobilisation activities through town hall meetings and consultations with religious and traditional institutions, describing the approach as evidence of a willingness to engage Nigerians and listen to their concerns.
The organisation subsequently reaffirmed its confidence in Senator Yari as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council and directed its national, zonal and state structures to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
It also called on Nigerian youths to assess political leaders based on their records and contributions rather than what it described as propaganda, while urging APC members, support groups and stakeholders to remain united behind the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.
Group urges media organisations to correct reports
Addressing the media, SYNUP acknowledged the importance of independent journalism and constructive scrutiny in a democratic society but stressed the need for accuracy, fairness and proper context in reporting political statements.
It therefore appealed to media organisations and commentators that published or amplified reports claiming Senator Yari described Nigerian youths as lazy to review the complete video footage and correct what it considers a misleading narrative.
The group maintained that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine responsible journalism or distort public discourse.
It further stressed that Nigerian youths deserve meaningful conversations about employment, skills development and economic opportunities, insisting that Senator Yari’s record of interventions in these areas should be considered in assessing his commitment to youth development.
SYNUP 4 Tinubu 2027 describes itself as a nationwide political support network mobilising for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The organisation disclosed that its National Executive Committee comprises 65 national offices and directorates across the six geopolitical zones, with coordinators in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The statement was signed by Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi (Wamban Shinkafi), National Coordinator, Senator Yari National Unity Project for Tinubu 2027 (SYNUP 4 Tinubu 2027).
