By Umar Zubainatu Kambari
In a resounding show of unity and gratitude, the people of Lere West are mobilizing en masse to propel Tom Garba, a renowned philanthropist and community leader, into the political arena.
As the 2027 elections loom on the horizon, residents of this vibrant constituency in Kaduna State’s Lere Local Government Area are not just endorsing Garba, they’re galvanizing a movement.
Long celebrated for his selfless humanitarian efforts, Garba is being positioned as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lere West State House of Assembly seat.
Local groups argue that his track record of compassion demands reciprocation: it’s high time voters “pay him back” with their ballots, ensuring a stronger, more empathetic voice for the district.
The clarion call comes amid a surge in political endorsements across Kaduna State, where Governor Uba Sani has boldly projected that the APC could secure up to 95 percent of votes in 2027, thanks to recent defections bolstering the party’s ranks in the State House of Assembly to 26 members.
Lere West, with its rich agricultural heritage and growing youth population, stands as a pivotal battleground.
Here, Garba’s name evokes not just admiration but a sense of collective debt, one that transcends party lines but aligns squarely with the APC’s vision of grassroots empowerment.
At the forefront of this push is the Concerned Group Lere West, a coalition of over 50 community leaders, youth activists, and women’s advocates who have signed a formal endorsement deal for Garba.
Led by Comrade Nehemiah Yakubu, the group’s petition, circulated widely in Garun Kurama and surrounding villages, paints Garba as the embodiment of servant leadership.
“We have closely followed the record of humanitarian services rendered by Tom Garba, long before this day,” the statement reads. “His consistency and genuine commitment to serving humanity stand out as second to none.”
Tom Garba’s humanitarian odyssey is no recent phenomenon; it’s a decade spanning saga woven into the fabric of Lere West’s daily struggles.
Hailing from the heart of Lere Local Government Area, a region plagued by seasonal floods, youth unemployment, and limited access to healthcare; Garba began his interventions as a young professional in the early 2010s.
What started as modest donations of school supplies to underprivileged children in Kahugu and Lere communities evolved into a full-fledged empowerment engine.
By 2024, he had established a nonprofit organization, pooling resources from well-wishers to provide help to students with workshops, workshops etc.
“Leadership is not about position, but about compassion, selflessness, and dedication to the people,” the group’s endorsement echoes, quoting Garba’s own philosophy.
“Tom didn’t just give fish; he taught us to fish—and then built the ponds,” recalls a beneficiary from Doka village.
His reach extends to education, a cornerstone of Lere West’s aspirations.
“His numerous interventions in community development, empowerment programs, and social welfare have made a lasting impact on many lives,” the Concerned Group notes, urging APC stakeholders to recognize this as electoral gold.
This groundswell isn’t happening in isolation. Lere West’s endorsement aligns with a broader APC renaissance in Kaduna, where recent defections from the PDP have swelled party numbers, signaling voter fatigue with opposition policies.
Governor Sani’s “Sustain Agenda” emphasizes inclusive growth, and Garba fits seamlessly his projects have indirectly supported state goals like open defecation-free communities, echoing regional commitments to sanitation in North-West states.
The Concerned Group is calling on APC leaders at all levels; from Lere Local Government executives to state chieftains, to “exercise wisdom in supporting and giving opportunities to credible individuals like Tom Garba.”
They warn that sidelining him would squander “valuable assets for the growth and progress of our people.”
Galvanizing efforts are already underway. “We’ve been good humanitarians long enough, it’s now time to pay him back with our votes,” Yakubu declared at a recent rally in the emirate’s shadow, invoking the Lere Emirate’s tradition of rewarding merit.
Critics might dismiss this as premature politicking, but supporters counter that Garba’s non-partisan service record spanning aid to both Muslim and Christian communities amid past tensions, positions him as a unifier.
In a state where insecurity lingers in pockets like Kauru and Lere, his emphasis on peace-building workshops could translate to legislative advocacy for youth employment bills.
“His leadership qualities, capacity, and passion for service should not be wasted,” the group insists, framing Garba as the APC’s best bet for retaining and expanding its dominance in 2027.
The message is clear: Tom Garba’s era of quiet giving must yield to one of vocal representation. With the APC’s North-West zone already endorsing President Tinubu’s reelection, local chapters are eyeing winnable seats like Lere West to cement that momentum.
For the people here, it’s personal; a chance to elevate a son of the soil who has lifted so many. and community leader, into the political arena.
