As APC campaign chief visits Ooni of Ife, Emir of Ilorin
The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has expressed confidence that the party will retain Kwara State in the 2027 general elections, predicting victory for President Bola Tinubu and APC candidates across all levels.
Yari spoke during consultative visits to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu-Gambari, as part of efforts to engage traditional institutions ahead of the elections.
The visits, according to a statement from Yari’s media office, were aimed at strengthening relationships with traditional rulers, fostering mutual understanding and seeking their prayers, blessings and counsel ahead of the forthcoming polls.
The statement clarified that the visits were not intended to solicit political endorsements or mobilisation support from the royal fathers but to seek their prayers and blessings, recognising the moral and spiritual influence of traditional institutions in promoting peace and stability.
Speaking at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace, Yari expressed optimism that the APC would win the presidential election, retain the Kwara governorship and secure seats in the National Assembly and State House of Assembly.
The former Zamfara State governor attributed his confidence to what he described as progress recorded in Kwara since 2019, particularly in education and healthcare delivery, including the establishment of new hospitals and the implementation of reforms.
He also pointed to the achievements of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his position as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as factors that could strengthen the party’s electoral prospects in the state and beyond.
Yari said the APC would build on the party’s existing structures and the governor’s performance to consolidate its political influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement described the visits to traditional rulers in Kwara and Oyo states as the formal commencement of a nationwide consultative tour involving traditional and political leaders.
It said the initiative was designed to build consensus and seek royal blessings ahead of major campaign activities leading to January 16, 2027, described in the statement as a significant date in the electoral calendar.
The campaign council also reaffirmed its recognition of traditional rulers as important stakeholders in promoting peace, unity and stability, stressing the need to carry them along in the build-up to the elections.
Yari was accompanied by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.
Other members of the delegation included Senators Adamu Aliero, Ali Modu Sheriff, Rochas Okorocha, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Danjuma Goje, all former governors of Kebbi, Borno, Imo, Zamfara, Jigawa and Gombe states, respectively.
Also on the delegation were former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema; former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.