Sir: In Nigerian politics, loyalty is valuable, but loyalty backed by political intelligence, strategic thinking and the ability to build relationships is an even greater asset. Ibrahim Kabir Masari appears to understand this distinction, and his recent political engagements offer another glimpse of a strategist who knows elections are often won long before voters arrive at the polling booth.

The reported endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by more than 500 Islamic scholars, preachers and clerics from across the country, following a closed-door meeting in Jigawa State involving six northern APC governors and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, is therefore politically significant. It points to a growing conversation around the President’s 2027 re-election bid and the mobilisation of influential stakeholders ahead of the contest.

At the centre of this engagement is Ibrahim Kabir Masari, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Matters. His assignment places him at a critical intersection between the Presidency, political actors and the broader network of stakeholders whose opinions can influence public sentiment. His effectiveness will inevitably be measured not only by what he says, but by the relationships he builds and the political outcomes those relationships can produce.

Masari’s strength appears to lie in his appreciation of Nigeria’s complex political architecture. In the North especially, political engagement extends beyond party structures to include religious leaders, traditional institutions, community leaders, political stakeholders and grassroots networks. Understanding these layers requires political maturity, patience and considerable political intelligence.

The Jigawa gathering should therefore be viewed for what it represents: a major political development. Bringing together more than 500 Islamic scholars, preachers and clerics from across the country, alongside six northern APC governors and other senior political figures, is no small feat. Their collective endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term sends a strong signal about the level of political engagement already taking place ahead of 2027.

More importantly, the development demonstrates the importance of building broad-based support around the President and sustaining relationships with influential stakeholders. Such a significant gathering should not be treated as a one-off engagement. The conversations must continue, the relationships must be nurtured, and the stakeholders must remain consistently engaged until the ultimate political objective is achieved.

For President Tinubu, this kind of engagement can become an important pillar of the 2027 political strategy. Religious and community leaders possess significant influence within their respective constituencies, and maintaining an open channel of communication with them will be essential. Consistent engagement allows concerns to be heard, messages to be clarified and shared political objectives to remain firmly in focus.

This is where Masari’s role becomes particularly important. As Special Adviser on Political Matters, his ability to understand political currents, connect stakeholders and sustain conversations across different constituencies places him in a strategic position. The task is not merely to bring people together, but to ensure that the relationships established translate into enduring political mobilisation.

The Jigawa meeting also reminds us that political victories are built through sustained engagement. A single endorsement, however, impressive, is only the beginning. What matters is the commitment to return to the table, deepen the relationship, listen continuously and keep the conversation alive until the desired outcome is secured.

For the Tinubu camp, the gathering provides both momentum and responsibility. The goodwill demonstrated by these influential voices must be respected, reciprocated and strategically nurtured. The road to 2027 will require consistency, discipline and a willingness to engage every important constituency with sincerity and purpose.

If recent developments are anything to go by, Masari is already playing his part in laying the political groundwork. His loyalty to President Tinubu is evident, his political instincts are increasingly visible, and his strategic strides continue. The Jigawa gathering may well be another important step in the long political journey towards 2027, and Masari appears determined to keep the engagement moving.

Ade Samuel, a policy and political analyst, wrote from Abuja.