Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a body of artisans, under the aegis of Coalition of Nigerian Artisan Associations (CONAA), has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The group unveiled its plan yesterday in Lagos during a media briefing themed “2027 Elections: The Role of Artisans in Electoral Politics.”

Director-General CONAA, Segun Ajibulu, who spoke at the event, disclosed that the Coalition would kick off a tour of the 36 states from October 24, 2026, to sensitise artisans on why the current administration deserves continuity.

According to him, the organisation comprises automobile mechanics, carpenters, welders, bricklayers, aluminium fabricators and iron benders, with zonal structures already established across the six geo-political zones for effective grassroots mobilisation.

Ajibulu, who was supported by the General Secretary of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), David Ajitumobi; the Vice President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, and Chairman of South-East Artisan Coalition, Fred Ojinika, said CONAA intends to roll out 10 million pamphlets, float an online radio and intensify social media engagement.

He said the essence of the 2027 polls goes beyond Nigeria.

“As the largest democracy in Africa and being the host of the biggest single concentration of black people all over the world with over 200 million people, the 2027 election is of significance not only to Africa but to the entire world,” he noted.

The artisans acknowledged economic hardship but insisted reforms would be beneficial in the long term.

“There is no doubt that Nigeria is passing through many challenges. Some of these obstacles are historical. They have been there for many years,” CONAA stated, adding that the nation is still grappling with issues of nationhood, corruption, housing deficit, poverty, unemployment and terrorism.

The group called for decentralisation since the return to democracy in 1999 remains relevant, but maintained that four years is too short to fix decades-old contradictions.