APC leaders pledge two million Kaduna votes as party insiders warn of Atiku’s influence, economic grievances
President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign is facing resistance in parts of northern Nigeria over rising living costs, perceived imbalances in federal appointments and concerns about infrastructure development, even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies efforts to consolidate support across the region.
APC sources said the grievances, coupled with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s longstanding political networks and influence, could complicate the ruling party’s efforts to secure broader support across the North-West, North-East and North-Central geopolitical zones.
The concerns come as the Kaduna State chapter of the APC pledges to mobilise two million votes for Tinubu ahead of the planned October 24 flag-off of his presidential campaign in the state.
However, party leaders have dismissed suggestions that ethnic and regional affiliations would determine voting patterns in 2027, arguing that infrastructure projects, governance and political relationships would shape voters’ decisions.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Kaduna APC Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Sani Haruna, argued that Tinubu’s longstanding political alliances with northern leaders gave the region compelling reasons to support his re-election.
“Going by the antecedents of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am bold to say that it is we, the northerners, that owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu our support,” Haruna said.
His remarks came amid concerns within sections of the ruling party that its control of political structures had not necessarily translated into the level of popular enthusiasm expected by its leaders.
According to party sources, mobilisation efforts led by governors and senior officials have produced uneven results, with economic hardship remaining a major concern among voters.
The sources also identified complaints over federal appointments, infrastructure distribution and other government benefits as challenges confronting the party’s efforts to broaden Tinubu’s support base.
They further maintained that Atiku remained influential among sections of the northern electorate. Some traditional rulers and community leaders were also said to have expressed sympathy for the former vice president during political consultations, although the sources provided no names or public declarations to substantiate the claims.
The concerns contrast with the confidence displayed by APC leaders at recent mobilisation events, including the party’s North-Central rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Party insiders said the rallies demonstrated the APC’s organisational capacity but acknowledged that sustained engagement would be necessary to address public grievances and convert political endorsements into votes.
They also pointed to the appointment of former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s mobilisation machinery, particularly in the North-West.
Kaduna’s 2023 results highlight APC’s challenge
The outcome of the 2023 presidential election illustrates the political complexities confronting the ruling party in the North.
Although Tinubu led the aggregate presidential vote in the North-West and North-Central, Atiku secured the highest aggregate vote in the North-East.
Kaduna State presented a particular challenge for the APC. Atiku won the state’s presidential election in 2023 with 554,360 votes, ahead of Tinubu’s 399,293 and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi’s 294,494.
Haruna, however, argued that the political situation had changed under Governor Uba Sani, whose administration, he said, had attracted support from communities previously associated with opposition parties.
He traced Tinubu’s political relationships with northern presidential contenders to the early 1990s, citing his association with the Peoples Front led by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and his support for Yar’Adua’s presidential ambition.
Haruna also recalled Tinubu’s support for Atiku in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and Muhammadu Buhari’s successful presidential bid in 2015.
“It is on record that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the few Nigerians in living memory who has shown and declared support, both in action and in spirit, for northern Nigeria’s aspiration to lead Nigeria,” he said.
He further argued that Tinubu had remained supportive of Buhari throughout his eight-year presidency, despite criticism of the former president by some northern politicians and citizens.
“A lot of northerners during those eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari had cause to say negative things about the president then, but Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never for once castigated or condemned the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Haruna said.
Atiku’s regional appeal will not determine 2027, APC chieftain insists
In a separate interview, APC chieftain and Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Dr Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, argued that ethnic and regional considerations would not necessarily determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
He said voters were increasingly focused on governance, development and tangible benefits rather than the geographical or ethnic backgrounds of candidates.
“The North has no candidate for 2027 because the two candidates from the North are not of the people. Ethno-political card will not favour them,” he said.
Kwankwaso maintained that the region should assess Tinubu’s administration based on its projects and interventions rather than rely solely on regional affiliations.
“Tinubu means well for the North, going by the ongoing trillion-naira projects in the region. He sustained and drew a lifeline for the completion of inherited projects and kick-started new ones,” he said.
He argued that the continuation of inherited projects and the commencement of new ones were changing perceptions of the president among northern voters.
“A common man in the North has come to realise real development under Tinubu. They have seen it, felt it and are convinced of Tinubu’s love for the region,” he added.
“The North has so many dividends to count under Tinubu than to gamble a golden opportunity.”
Kaduna APC targets two million votes
Meanwhile, the Kaduna APC chapter has expressed confidence in its ability to mobilise two million votes for Tinubu, with Haruna describing the target as achievable.
He said Governor Uba Sani had assured the president of the state’s support and attributed the party’s claimed gains to the governor’s engagement with communities across religious, ethnic and political divides.
“Now, we have a governor in the person of Senator Uba Sani who has shown regard and respect to every strata of opinion in Kaduna State,” Haruna said.
“He has received everybody and created a large pool that everybody is welcome, irrespective of religion, irrespective of tribe, or any other social, economic or cultural difference.”
Haruna also claimed that the APC controlled all elective positions across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas, 255 wards, 16 federal constituencies and three senatorial districts.
However, a journalist challenged the assertion, pointing to the opposition’s victories in all three Senate seats and 12 House of Representatives seats in Kaduna during the 2023 elections.
In response, Haruna maintained that subsequent political developments had strengthened the APC’s position in the state.
“If we say there is no opposition, it is not rhetoric; it is not a mere saying. It is a fact that is on the ground,” he said.
APC describes Kaduna campaign launch as a show of solidarity
The Kaduna APC spokesman described the choice of the state for the planned campaign flag-off as a demonstration of Tinubu’s commitment to northern Nigeria, citing Kaduna’s historical significance as the former capital of the Northern Region.
“There is no better solidarity or show of love for northern Nigeria than the choice of Kaduna as the city to host the flag-off of the presidential campaign,” he said.
“Anybody that chooses Kaduna for whatever action he wants to execute is not showing solidarity or love to the city of Kaduna alone; rather, he is showing that love to the whole of northern Nigeria.”
The state chapter also announced the establishment of a dedicated media centre to provide information on preparations for the campaign launch.
Haruna said the centre would serve as the official source of information on the event, adding that the party was prepared to receive Tinubu, APC leaders and supporters from across the country.
“We are ready, we are prepared, and our arms are open to welcome our guests on the 24th of October,” he said.
Despite the party’s mobilisation drive and assurances from its leaders, concerns over economic hardship, perceived regional imbalances and Atiku’s political influence remain central to the debate over the APC’s efforts to consolidate northern support ahead of 2027.
