Former Katsina Governor Launches APC Mobilisation Network for 2027 Elections

Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema on Tuesday launched a political mobilisation network for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Mr Shema said this network will help gather support for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Dikko Radda, and other party candidates in all 34 local government areas ahead of the 2027 elections.

He introduced the group, called Tinubu-Dikko Again 2027, during the opening of its women and youth center on Daura Road near the Hajj Camp in Katsina.

Describing this initiative as a grassroots effort, the former governor said it will focus on mobilising women and youths while strengthening the APC throughout the state.

He urged party members to engage more with people at the grassroots level and defend the achievements of Tinubu and Radda. He explained that although some economic reforms have been tough for Nigerians, they are needed to tackle long-standing issues.

“Some of the critical decisions that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken in Nigeria as president, and the ones taken by our Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, were decisions that may be very difficult for Nigerians,” Mr Shema stated.

“But these decisions are necessary to correct the problems that bedevil Nigeria in terms of economy, security and the social well-being of our people.”

Governor Radda, who set up the organisation’s committees at the state, local government, ward, and polling unit levels, said it is an important step to mobilise women and youths for the upcoming elections.

“I have no doubt, no fear and no hesitation about our chances in the next election,” the governor said.

His confidence comes from what he called divine support, the backing of party leaders and the trust of ordinary citizens in his administration.

Mr Shema noted that the organisation will have a presence in all 34 local government areas, political wards, and polling units.

“This centre we have opened today in Katsina is only the beginning,” he said in Hausa.

“There will be centres in the local governments, wards and polling units.”

He suggested that APC chapters across Nigeria should copy this model to increase participation from women and young people in politics.

The former governor also announced the executive committee members of the organisation, naming former House of Representatives member Salisu Yusuf Majigiri as Director-General, Bishir Tanimu Dutsin-ma as Secretary and Ibrahim Lawal Ankaba as Strategist.

He further presented coordinators for each of Katsina’s 34 local government areas.

Mr Shema urged APC candidates not to wait for official campaign periods to reconnect with voters.

“Let us continue to go from house to house. Let’s go from person to person, community to community, leaders to leaders, religious leaders, traditional institutions, the business community, let’s involve everybody.”

He also warned party members against picking only certain APC candidates to support.

“You are not a true party person if you start making selections of who you elect under the flag of APC.”

According to him, solving Nigeria’s economic and security issues cannot happen in just one election cycle.

“It is not possible to reverse the problems we find in the economy and security in the space of three years. We need more time to address these concerns, improve the economy and ensure that the cost of living comes down.”

He called on Nigerians to support government efforts to fight insecurity, saying that banditry and kidnapping need everyone’s action.

“What affects one affects all,” he said.

Governor Radda described the new structure as a strong addition to the APC’s grassroots efforts in Katsina.

He thanked Mr Shema for creating this platform, saying it will boost support from women and young people across the state.

Although he did not directly address opposition parties, he said the right time for political talk would come.

“The time for politics will come,” he said in Hausa.

“When it comes, we will respond.”

Earlier, the Director-General of the organisation, Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, praised the Radda administration and accused unnamed political opponents of ignoring its achievements.

He said the APC has been patient but warned that their responses to critics will come in due time.

“We have given them some time,” he said.

“But that time will not last forever.”

Former Deputy Governor Tukur Ahmed Jikamshi, who leads the Renewed Hope organisation in Katsina, said the APC will focus on showing evidence of its performance instead of just making promises.

“This election will not be based on assumptions,” he said.

“We will present evidence.”

He challenged other parties to explain their alternative policies compared to those already put in place by the Tinubu administration.

Katsina APC Chairperson Bashir Saulawa called the new structure a way to strengthen the party’s grassroots work, while businessman Dahiru Barau Mangal said it is a key step for the upcoming elections.

“Election is prepared for before it comes,” Mr Mangal stated.

“These are the preparations required to win elections.”

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Katsina, Bello Lawal Yandaki, also spoke at the event. He highlighted programs by the federal and state governments.

He claimed that more than ₦8 billion has been given to beneficiaries in Katsina under the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.

Mr Yandaki announced that another round of financial help for at least 50,000 beneficiaries across the state’s 34 local government areas will start later this month.

He added that the Radda administration had hired over 7,000 teachers and more than 1,000 health workers in the past two years.

Several speakers urged party members to strengthen APC’s grassroots efforts and gather support ahead of the 2027 elections.

Both Mr Shema and Governor Radda agreed that more detailed campaigning will start when allowed by Nigeria’s electoral laws.

Mr Shema asked party members to use the time before official campaigns to prepare and strengthen the party’s structure, while Mr Radda said they would engage with opposition parties when the time is right.