The Pan-Middle Belt Movement for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 has inaugurated its national leadership and commenced grassroots mobilisation across the region, as the group targeted a minimum of six million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the coming presidential election.

The inauguration, held in Abuja, brought together stakeholders and representatives from across the Middle Belt and was said to have marked the beginning of a coordinated political mobilisation aimed at strengthening grassroots participation and advancing the interests of the region.

Besides, the movement was initiated by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Kaduna South Zone in the National Assembly, and in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Speaking at the meeting, the Convener, Edward John Auta, said the organisation was established to provide a platform for the people of the Middle Belt to participate meaningfully in the political process while articulating issues affecting the region.

“Our target deliverable is a minimum of six million votes for the President and the Vice President in 2027 from the Middle Belt,” Auta said.

He stressed that achieving the target would require sustained mobilisation from the national level down to states, local government areas and communities.

The Patron of the movement, Samuel Atung (SAN), urged members to overcome what he described as the “minority syndrome” and place collective interests above individual differences.

Atung (SAN) said the Middle Belt shared a common destiny and must work together despite differences in ethnicity, faith and political affiliations.

He also highlighted some federal appointments and development interventions under the Tinubu administration, including infrastructure projects and the establishment of a University and Federal Medical Centre in Southern Kaduna.

The movement’s national leadership has Vice President Kashim Shettima as Grand Patron, while Atung serves as Patron. Auta is the Convener and Hon. Abubakar Isa the Co-Convener.

Other officers include Horyen Shaiyen, National Secretary; Ango Bally, Deputy National Secretary; Bomba Dauda, Director of Media and Publicity; Barr. Emmanuel Hundu, Director of Organising; Tanko Rossi Sabo, National Director of Mobilisation; Dr. Ibrahim Habu Ekpo, Director of Contact and Strategy; Dr. Margaret Bija, Director of Welfare; Barr. Simeon Wujat, Legal Adviser; and Hon. Usman Umoru, National Auditor, among others.

The movement resolved that grassroots mobilisation should commence immediately, with state structures expected to establish organisations down to the local government level.
It also disclosed plans to seek a meeting between its National Steering Committee and Vice President Shettima to formally present its structure and objectives and discuss issues affecting the Middle Belt.

Members were tasked with engaging governors, legislators, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders across the region.

The organisation said its activities would focus not only on electoral mobilisation but also on issues of development, security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and broader regional interests.

The Director of Media and Publicity, Bomba Dauda, called for a coordinated media strategy and urged members to provide credible information on activities within their communities to strengthen public communication.

The movement also announced plans for a national executives’ retreat to focus on team building, strategic planning and mechanisms for achieving its objectives ahead of the 2027 elections.

It reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising at least six million votes for Tinubu and Shettima while ensuring that “the political participation of the Middle Belt translates into meaningful representation and development for the region”.