• Ganduje, Barau say no vacancy in Aso Rock
• Wike dismisses presidential bid rumour, pledges loyalty to Tinubu
• Says Fubara remains his political son despite rift
The North West zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday gave its blessing to the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu.
Party stakeholders, rising from a meeting in Kaduna, said they were all for the President ahead of the 2027 election.
National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said at the meeting that there was no vacancy in the State House.
In Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike pledged loyalty to the President, debunking claims that he (Wike) was warming up for the 2027 presidential race.
At the Kaduna meeting of the APC stakeholders yesterday were governors from the zone elected on the platform of the party – Uba Sani (Kaduna), Nasir Idris (Kebbi) and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
Also present were House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Ministers from the zone, party chairmen of state chapters, state and federal legislators, as well as heads of federal agencies and senior political appointees.
Deputy Senate President Barau started it all when he mounted the rostrum and asked the gathering “Aso Rock?; to which the crowd responded with shouts of “no vacancy”.
Continuing, he said: “So it is clear that in 2027, we are going to have a landslide victory, insha Allah (by God’s grace).
“So let us continue on the way we are going. Let us continue to cooperate with one another, work with the President, work with everybody, cooperate with one another so that we can have the desired victory.”
He said the continued defection of notable politicians from the opposition to the APC was on account of the performance of President Tinubu in addressing the challenges bedeviling the country.
“This is not happening just for nothing. There are reasons for this. What are the reasons? Number one is the performance of our dear President. The President, of course, inherited a lot of challenges bedeviling our country, but he has come up with programmes and policies to surmount these challenges.
“Security challenges, economic challenges, name them. We’ve seen how he has dealt with our problem, our security problem—the insecurity we’ve been facing in the North West. Several areas were not accessible before now. You could not go to some areas before now.
“But now you can go to some places, you can travel from Abuja to Kaduna. This was quite impossible before he came to power.
“Similarly, before this administration, you could not go to Birnin Gwari, but life has returned to the area. The people have returned to their farmlands
“Several areas that were not accessible are now accessible. We know we are not where we want to be. We are not there yet. We are not finally there yet. But it’s work in progress.
“Mr. President is working hard day in and day out to surmount this country’s insecurity problem, particularly in the North West. It is work in progress.
“It is easy to have problems, but it’s not easy to solve the problems.
“And, of course, that is not alone. That is not the only reason why we are having this influx into our party. The performance of our governors; our governors are doing well, working day in, day out,” he said.
He added: “The chairman, the national chairman of our party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is leading all the party leaders in the country to bring about these improvements we are witnessing in APC. We are all here as brothers and sisters.
“So let us continue to cooperate amongst ourselves, work amongst ourselves, do all that is humanly possible to bring about the needed development to our people so that our party can grow stronger and stronger.
“So that by 2027, we will not have any problem in making sure that we have the expected victory that we are beginning to see. Because as we speak, it looks as if you don’t have any other political party in the country, or even in the Northwest. So it is always said.”
National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Umar Ganduje, said the President remained committed to the development of the North West, the entire northern region and Nigeria by extension.
He said the commitment has been demonstrated through his numerous intervention projects ranging from infrastructure to agriculture and social development across the North.
He described the establishment of the North West Development Commission as a clear indication of the President’s love for the Northwest.
He said: “We have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel”, and therefore there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa in 2027.
Speaker Abbas, who moved the motion for the endorsement of the President, said the defection of stalwarts of the opposition to the APC was an indication of the growing confidence of Nigerians in the party and President Tinubu.
“To enhance our election efforts, it is crucial to strengthen grassroots mobilization at the local level. Furthermore, as we look to the future, we must continue to integrate and involve more young people and women in the party, as they comprise a significant portion of the population.
“Their involvement is crucial for achieving future political success.”
He added: “At the National Assembly, we are committed to championing legislation aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, advancing bills on infrastructure financing and development, security reforms, and incentives for the digital economy.
“This support has been pivotal in passing landmark measures, exercising robust oversight over the executive and representing the interests of our people.
“With the 2027 general election approaching, we must intensify grassroots mobilisation, consolidate our legislative gains, and engage new constituencies, especially youth and women, through empowerment programmes.”
As the meeting was winding up, host Governor Sani invited Abbas and Barau to move for the vote of confidence and endorsement of the President.
The motion was seconded by Governor Umar Idris of Kebbi State and followed by voice vote affirming the endorsement.
In a communique read by Governor Sani, the zone reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and pledged ‘’full support for President Tinubu’s vision to deliver prosperity, equity, and lasting change for all Nigerians.”
It commended the President for his “purposeful leadership, bold reforms and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress, especially in the North West zone.”
It said: ”Under President Tinubu, security in the North West has significantly improved, enabling farmers to return to their fields and communities to regain peace and stability.
“’Our zone enjoys unprecedented federal representation with 12 ministers, key National Assembly positions, and top security appointments – a clear sign of inclusiveness and recognition.’
“Major infrastructure projects are being completed or are underway across the North West, marking a new era of development in our region.
“APC continues to grow in strength, unity, and national appeal, due to Nigerians’ appreciation of the President and our APC Governors.”
Wike: I remain loyal to Tinubu; it’s not true I want to contest 2027 presidential election
Speaking in a BBC News Pidgin interview yesterday, Wike denied speculations that he would be contesting in the 2027 presidential election.
“I will not contest. Why will I contest against someone I’m working for?” he said in response to a question on whether he would join the race if his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), zoned the ticket to the south.
He said he did not know anyone in the opposition who is formidable enough to challenge the President.
“They said they will zone it to the South, let them zone first. When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it,” he said.
On his quarrel with his successor as Rivers State governor, Siminilayi Fubara, Wike said he still regarded the suspended governor as his political son.
“That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy. He is my son. Why will I fight with him?” he said.
“I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for.
“When you don’t defeat them, they will think you… Defeat them to the final stage.
“Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”
