Senior All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including Minister of State for Works Alhaji Bello Goronyo and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, convened North-West political appointees and youths to rally support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.
The event, titled "Renewed Hope Promise Kept 2027: Meet and Greet North-West Mobilisation," took place to honor 2023 campaign foot soldiers and energize grassroots efforts.
Goronyo organized the rally to stress the importance of party loyalty and active participation. He highlighted Tinubu's infrastructure achievements, such as the Sokoto-Badagry super highway, Lagos-Calabar coastal road, and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road projects.
Goronyo urged attendees to focus on voter registration and mobilization. He stated, "We have found a president committed to unity, progress and development."
Yilwatda emphasized that political appointees must engage in politics and reject the "technocrat" label. He declared, "There is no vote called technocrats. They are all political appointees. Once you are given a political appointment, you are a politician."
Yilwatda praised the North-West as the APC's bedrock, noting its 20 percent share of party membership and youth dominance. He commended Tinubu's initiatives like the student loan scheme and national health insurance.
Other speakers reinforced the message. Special Adviser Hadiza Bala-Usman warned against appointees who avoid campaigning.
She said, "We are a vote basket, and we must retain that. Nobody should work hard to win elections while others stroll in to collect appointments." Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande noted the APC's effective youth engagement. Minister Dr. Tanko Sununu highlighted the NELFUND scheme's role in empowering youths.
The rally called for unity and described 2027 as "pay-back time" for Tinubu's promises. Attendees included ministers, advisers, and youths from the North-West.
This mobilization underscores the APC's strategy to leverage regional strength for national victory. Leaders urged aggressive youth-led programs to secure Tinubu's second term.