Ahead of the 2027 general elections, political activities are gaining momentum in Katsina, Nigeria. Various parties, support groups, and stakeholders are engaging in consultations, mobilisation, and grassroots engagement. While campaigns are becoming more visible, a full-scale poster and billboard competition has yet to emerge. The current focus is on political meetings, establishment of support group offices, stakeholder consultations, and direct community engagement.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the state government, has been particularly active in strengthening its grassroots structure. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has emphasised sustained mobilisation and engagement ahead of the polls. He has pledged to embark on a door-to-door campaign across Katsina in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates. This approach prioritises direct voter contact alongside conventional publicity.
The APC's door-to-door campaign strategy was recently reinforced with the inauguration of the Katsina structure of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement. The movement deployed campaign vehicles to coordinators across the 34 local government areas as part of mobilisation for President Tinubu. This initiative aims to enhance voter engagement and create a stronger connection between the party and the electorate.
Support groups are becoming increasingly visible in the state capital. On October 2, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, President’s Special Adviser on Political and Special Matters, inaugurated offices of the Wazirin Tinubu Ambassador Movement and the 360 Plus 1 Support Tinubu/Dikko 2027 organisation. These groups focus on public awareness and dissemination of information on policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
The Wazirin Tinubu Ambassador Movement, led by Alhaji Aliyu Mansir, established its office in Katsina metropolis, aiming to enhance public awareness and information dissemination. The 360 Plus 1 Support Tinubu/Dikko 2027 group, led by Hon. Salisu Hamza Rimaye, was formed by 13 lawmakers who did not secure tickets at the APC primary but chose to remain in the party and support its activities.
The 360 Plus 1 Support Tinubu/Dikko 2027 group has established offices, a conference hall, and provided 13 vehicles to facilitate awareness and mobilisation. This illustrates the growing importance of organised support structures in the emerging campaign landscape. The group’s efforts aim to contribute to the APC's mobilisation and engagement strategies.
While posters and billboards are beginning to appear in some parts of Katsina, the level of competition is not yet uniform. The measured display may reflect the stage of the electoral cycle, with actors concentrating on structures, consultations, and mobilisation before intensifying mass publicity. Key stakeholders, including former PDP members who recently defected to APC, are also being integrated into the party's grassroots mobilisation efforts.
Key points
- APC strengthens grassroots structure ahead of 2027 elections
- Support groups emerge in Katsina to promote Tinubu's agenda
- Door-to-door campaign strategy gains traction in Katsina
