…Plans nationwide mobilisation ahead of 2027

The Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum has declared its readiness to lead a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, insisting that the electoral fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be determined largely by the strength of its structures at the local government level.

The declaration was made on Wednesday when leaders of the forum paid a courtesy visit to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Leading the delegation, Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Jibrin, thanked the APC leadership for receiving the forum and reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the party’s presence at the grassroots.

Jibrin, a former Niger State Commissioner for Health, former Chairman of the State Commissioners’ Forum and former Commissioner for Investment, said the forum comprises about 685 local government chairmen across the country with the backing of APC governors in 31 states.

Describing council chairmen as the closest elected officials to the people, he said they remain the party’s most effective grassroots mobilisation machinery.
“We are the closest tier of government to the people. We understand the grassroots and possess first-hand intelligence about our communities. The success of the APC will be anchored on effective grassroots mobilisation, and that is why we have come to declare our support for President Tinubu and his administration,” he said.

According to him, no previous administration has demonstrated greater commitment to strengthening local government administration than President Tinubu.

“The President believes that when local governments are empowered, democracy dividends will naturally reach ordinary Nigerians. We appreciate this commitment and have resolved to reciprocate it by mobilising support for his re-election,” he added.

Jibrin disclosed that the forum has constituted its own National Working Committee to coordinate mobilisation efforts across the country, adding that it would formally endorse President Tinubu for a second term during its forthcoming inauguration.

He appealed to the APC leadership to facilitate collaboration between the forum and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, chaired by Governor Hope Uzodinma, to deepen grassroots coordination ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, Deputy National Chairman South of the forum, Bassey Freedom Samuel, said local government councils now have greater capacity to execute development projects following reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration.

He said members resolved to unite under one platform to appreciate the President’s support for local government autonomy and improved funding.
“We are prepared to return to our various councils and mobilise not only council chairmen but also councillors, supervisors and the entire party structure. We are ready to support party activities and strengthen the APC across the grassroots,” Samuel said.

He urged the APC National Chairman to present the initiative to APC governors, stressing that their support would transform the platform into a formidable grassroots political movement.

Responding, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, described local government chairmen as the party’s greatest political assets and indispensable partners in securing electoral victories.
“You are nearer to the people than anyone else. You understand your communities and know what the people need. You are the strongest pillars we have to win elections,” he said.

Yilwatda maintained that every elected office holder must embrace the responsibility of political mobilisation.
“If you hold a political office, you cannot say you are not a politician. If you are unwilling to mobilise people and win votes, then you should not accept political appointments,” he said.

The APC chairman assured the delegation that the party would work closely with the forum through the office of the National Secretary and facilitate collaboration with the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

He also pledged to brief President Tinubu on the objectives and activities of the forum.

Commending the performance of several APC-led local government administrations, Yilwatda said many councils were investing in hospitals, schools, roads, culverts and other critical infrastructure to improve the welfare of citizens.

He stressed that effective local government administration remains central to reducing multidimensional poverty through expanded access to healthcare, education, potable water, sanitation and other essential public services.

As a symbolic endorsement of the President’s leadership, the forum presented customised Tinubu campaign materials, including posters, branded T-shirts, face caps and a campaign letter to the APC National Chairman, while formally naming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the National Patron of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum.