By Emmanuel Kwada
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North-West zone solidified its political strategy and reaffirmed its unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a high-profile stakeholders’ meeting hosted by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, in his capacity as the APC North-West Coordinating Governor.
The gathering, held on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Square, Kaduna, marked a pivotal moment in consolidating the party’s dominance in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The well-attended meeting brought together a formidable array of APC leaders, including National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governors Uba Sani (Kaduna), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa), as well as representatives from Katsina and Sokoto states.
The stakeholders conducted a comprehensive review of the APC’s standing in the North-West, assessing the performance of elected and appointed officials at both federal and state levels
Other prominent attendees included Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, 12 ministers from the zone, state and federal legislators, heads of federal agencies, and former governors such as Bello Aminu Masari (Katsina), Ahmed Sani Yerima (Zamfara), Mahmud Shinkafi (Zamfara), and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi). The presence of such political heavyweights underscored the meeting’s significance as a strategic rallying point for the APC in the North-West, a key political stronghold.
The stakeholders conducted a comprehensive review of the APC’s standing in the North-West, assessing the performance of elected and appointed officials at both federal and state levels.
We must not be complacent
Discussions focused on strengthening party unity, expanding grassroots mobilization, and countering opposition challenges. Governor Uba Sani, reading the meeting’s communiqué, emphasized the need to “deepen the trust of our people” and capitalize on the opposition’s disarray to maintain the APC’s political dominance. “We must not be complacent,” Sani urged, highlighting the importance of delivering on mandates to secure voter confidence.
The meeting also mapped out strategies to reinvigorate party structures, including directives to open or revitalize APC offices at ward, local government, and zonal levels within three months, as previously outlined in a Kaduna State APC meeting in March 2025. The stakeholders welcomed new members and returnees to the party, noting that defections from opposition parties were a testament to the APC’s growing appeal under Tinubu’s leadership.
A defining moment of the summit was the unanimous passing of a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the North-West zone declaring him their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The motion, moved by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and seconded by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, was met with resounding approval, signaling early and robust regional support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Abbas described the endorsement as a recognition of Tinubu’s “progressive governance, improving leadership, and unwavering support for the socio-economic development of the North-West geo-political zone,” predicting a “landslide victory” for the APC in 2027.
The communiqué, read by Governor Sani, lauded Tinubu’s “purposeful leadership, bold reforms, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress, especially in the North-West zone.” It highlighted significant improvements in security, noting that “farmers have returned to their fields and communities have regained peace and stability” under Tinubu’s administration.
The stakeholders also praised the region’s unprecedented federal representation, with 12 ministers, key National Assembly positions (including the Speaker and Deputy Senate President), and top security appointments, describing these as “a clear sign of inclusiveness and recognition.”
We have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel
Infrastructure development was another focal point, with the communiqué citing ongoing and completed projects across the North-West as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to the region. National Chairman Ganduje emphasized the establishment of the North-West Development Commission as a landmark achievement, declaring, “We have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
He categorically stated, “There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa come 2027,” reinforcing the APC’s resolve to secure Tinubu’s second term.
The North-West zone, comprising Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara, is a critical electoral bloc, contributing a significant portion of Nigeria’s voting population. The APC’s early endorsement of Tinubu reflects a strategic move to consolidate support in this region, which delivered substantial votes for the party in the 2023 elections.
The stakeholders’ confidence in Tinubu’s leadership was further bolstered by the performance of APC governors, with the meeting also offering automatic second-term tickets to incumbent governors in the zone, signaling party unity and continuity.
There is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa come 2027
The endorsement comes amid growing political mobilization in Kaduna and the broader North-West, with earlier APC meetings in Soba, Zangon Kataf, Kachia, and Jema’a local government areas expressing similar support for both Tinubu and Governor Sani for 2027. These grassroots endorsements, coupled with the regional summit, indicate a concerted effort to strengthen the APC’s foothold and counter opposition narratives.
The Kaduna summit has set the stage for intensified political activity as the APC prepares for the 2027 elections. Governor Sani called for sustained cooperation among party members, urging them to “work with the president and amongst ourselves” to ensure electoral success.
The stakeholders’ focus on infrastructure, security, and inclusive governance aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which they believe will resonate with voters.
As the APC North-West zone projects confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, the party faces the challenge of sustaining momentum and addressing lingering socio-economic concerns, particularly in rural areas.
However, with the opposition described as “in disarray” and the APC’s regional machinery in full gear, the Kaduna meeting has sent a clear message: the North-West is firmly behind President Tinubu for 2027, setting the tone for a fiercely contested electoral cycle.
The APC’s next steps include further stakeholder engagements across the zone and the implementation of the strategies outlined in Kaduna, with Governor Uba Sani poised to play a central role in rallying the region for the party’s national ambitions.
