Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has announced plans to relocate to Kano State for two weeks to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the 2027 general elections. He made this declaration at the Yoruba Political Mobilisation and Empowerment Programme organized by the Leke Abejide Foundation in Kano. Bello emphasized his commitment to ensuring that Tinubu and Yusuf secure victory at the polls.
Bello challenged the Yoruba and other non-indigenous communities in Kano to demonstrate their political strength, stating that their contribution to Tinubu's victory in the 2023 presidential election was not sufficient. He expressed confidence that the political network of the programme's organizer, Leke Abejide, could mobilize at least two million votes for Tinubu in 2027. Bello also urged the communities to extend their support to all APC candidates.
According to Bello, the political strength of non-indigenous communities in Kano should not be underestimated due to their numerical presence and established relationships across the state. He emphasized the importance of mobilizing their people to ensure their votes count. Bello also appealed to Northerners to support Tinubu's re-election, arguing that the president should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms in office.
Bello defended the Tinubu administration's performance, particularly in infrastructure development, citing the progress on the Kano-Abuja Federal Highway as evidence of the president's commitment to the North. He mentioned that he had sent someone to Kano to assess the progress of the road project, which has significantly improved traveling conditions.
Leke Abejide, the organizer of the programme and a member of the House of Representatives, described Kano as his home, having lived and established his business there for about 34 years. He disclosed that N500m had been set aside as interest-free loans for women organized into cooperative societies to expand their businesses. Abejide also announced plans for a separate empowerment programme for youths and men.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reaffirmed his administration's commitment to protecting the rights of non-indigenous communities and ensuring their participation in governance. He mentioned that his administration had appointed special advisers representing Yoruba, Igbo, and northern minority communities to promote inclusiveness. Yusuf assured the communities that Kano would remain their home and that his administration would continue to guarantee their security and participation in the state's development.
The event was a demonstration of the collective responsibility to mobilize support for Tinubu and APC candidates in the 2027 elections. The various stakeholders present, including Bello, Abejide, and Yusuf, emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation to achieve their goals. The programme aimed to promote political stability and inclusiveness in Kano State.
Key points
- Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello plans to relocate to Kano State for two weeks to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
- Bello aims to mobilize at least two million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
- The Leke Abejide Foundation has set aside N500m as interest-free loans for women in Kano State to expand their businesses.
