The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified efforts to consolidate its electoral strength in northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) support group unveiled plans to mobilise voters across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The group, led by former Kano State Governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, disclosed its mobilisation strategy during a meeting with the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on Tuesday in Abuja, where it pledged to work with the party and its presidential campaign structures to secure more votes for President Bola Tinubu.
Shekarau, who led the delegation, said A4A was established to complement the efforts of the APC by strengthening grassroots mobilisation, addressing voter apathy and ensuring that the party translates its political support in the North into votes at the ballot box.
He said, “A4A was established to complement the efforts of the APC by strengthening grassroots mobilisation, addressing voter apathy and ensuring that the party translates its political support in the North into votes at the ballot box.”
The former governor said the group had studied previous election results, identified areas of strength and weakness, and developed strategies to increase voter turnout ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He disclosed that A4A had established about 20 directorates and was building a grassroots structure extending from the national level to states, local government areas and wards.
According to him, coordinators had been appointed across the states and directed to establish sectoral structures to drive mobilisation.
Shekarau said the group would work alongside existing APC officials rather than create parallel structures.
He also said A4A had compiled information on projects and programmes executed or being implemented by the Tinubu administration in northern Nigeria to counter claims that the region had been neglected.
“We have compiled information on the projects, programmes and achievements of the Tinubu administration across northern Nigeria, and we intend to make them available to relevant stakeholders,” he said.
Shekarau added that the group would publicise the projects to improve public awareness of the Federal Government’s activities in the region.
He invited Yilwatda to the commissioning of the group’s secretariat scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at 2pm, disclosing that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had accepted the invitation.
Also speaking, former Plateau State Governor and Deputy Chairman of the A4A Board of Trustees, Simon Lalong, described the initiative as an effort by experienced political leaders to strengthen the APC’s electoral machinery.
Lalong said the group comprised former governors, serving ministers, senators, former legislators and other political figures who were prepared to contribute their experience to the party’s campaign.
He said the North remained a critical factor in national elections, adding that A4A would work to improve the region’s contribution to the APC’s electoral performance.
Responding, Yilwatda commended the group for bringing together political leaders and younger members from different religious, regional, professional and demographic backgrounds.
He said the arrangement would promote mentorship and help prepare younger people for leadership roles in northern Nigeria.
The APC chairman also dismissed claims that the North was opposed to Tinubu, citing the involvement of former governors, legislators and other political figures in the group as evidence of support for the President.
He urged A4A to expand its public engagement, including through a proposed press conference involving prominent northern political leaders to communicate their position on Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Yilwatda also defended the administration’s infrastructure and economic projects in the region, citing road construction and development initiatives.
He said road projects under construction or procurement across northern Nigeria covered more than 3,000 kilometres.
The APC chairman further cited the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline project, saying it could support power generation, industrial development, fertiliser production and wider domestic gas utilisation.
He urged northern communities to take advantage of the Federal Government’s student loan scheme and other interventions to expand access to education and improve opportunities for young people.
Yilwatda assured the delegation that the APC would work with A4A to integrate its grassroots structures into the party’s broader electoral plans.
He said the party’s preparations for 2027 would cover presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state House of Assembly elections, adding that effective coordination and voter mobilisation would be required across the different levels.
Matthew Abi
