2027: Uba Sani, others fortify the north-west for Tinubu

BY JAMIL MUSTAPHA

In an era of positive disruptions, Senator Uba Sani, the ebullient Governor of Kaduna State is rapidly earning his strips as a master of the game in the nation’s rapidly evolving political ecosystem. Deploying tenacity, modern tact and a deft pro-people politics of inclusivity, Governor Uba Sani has been leading other political leaders to build a huge, albeit energetic, base for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at large, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in particular, in the very politically-sensitive North West zone of Nigeria.

No doubt, Governor Uba Sani and other chieftains of the APC have their sights set on the elections of 2027, the Kaduna State Governor however believes things should be done much more differently and altruistically. Uba Sani’s strategy seems slightly novel in the contemporary history of politics and politicking in Nigeria. It is however rooted in the very beautiful, robust and people-centric refinement of the politics of the founding fathers of Nigeria. The Governor of Kaduna State is a fervent admirer of Nigeria’s First Republic leaders: Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Michael Okpara, to name but a few. The Kaduna State Governor treasures the fact that the nation’s First Republic leaders genuinely earned the love, support, adulation and thus the cult-like following of the electorate in their respective regions in particular and the nation at large.

“The love and adulation the people had (and still have) for our First Republic leaders in Nigeria were earned. These great men were genuinely loved by the people because they were known to always put the people first; they lived and worked for the people. The love and admiration the people had for these leaders were organic. They neither bought the love nor coerced it from the people. That is the direction the APC is now following under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Believe me, things may not be as rosy as we all expect or want; but it could have been worse. Trust me, the APC, under President Tinubu is towing the legendary paths of our First Republic Leaders”, Governor Uba Sani said in a chat shortly before hosting a major stakeholder meeting of the leaders of the APC in the North-West Zone, in Kaduna on Saturday, 17^th May.

“Gone are the days when politicians rush to the people to start new projects, beg for votes or even seek to buy votes, barely months, weeks or even days to the election. No, that is outdated politics. It is wrong. Our First Republic leaders in Nigeria did not do that and our generation will no longer do that. Some people are saying we are already campaigning for 2027 elections and I have also been telling them that this is not exactly true. Yes, we passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu at the North West Stakeholders meeting; that was a genuine affirmation of the fact that our people are happy with what the President has done in our zone in particular and the nation at large, in just two years. And we have also collected the views of our people on things that are pending, which we have immediately passed to the President. What we are doing is bridging the gap between our party, particularly our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people we are leading at the subnational levels. The President can’t be everywhere. We are his eyes and ears at the subnational levels.  That is exactly what the President has instructed us to do: to interface with the people regularly, gauge their mood, find out what they need, what they want from governments at all levels and then speedily work on the feedbacks,” the workaholic Governor of Kaduna State disclosed.

Governor Uba Sani was last year, inaugurated by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Dr. Umar Ganduje as the party’s Coordinating Governor for the North-West zone. According to the party Chairman, Gov. Uba Sani’s duties largely entail: the  coordination of the Governors of the North – West to always identify with, and participate more in the activities of the party; to initiate periodic interface between the Governors of the North – West Zone and the leadership of the party; liaise with the party to commence immediate process for genuine reconciliation of aggrieved party members in the zone; mobilize Governors of the North – West zone to effectively and physically participate in party activities within and outside the zone; consult with Governors of the North – West zone on issues that will further enhance the progress and unity of the party within the zone; and assist the party on resource mobilization within the North-West zone.

It was pursuant to this assignment as the Coordinating Governor for the North West zone that Senator Uba Sani hosted another very successful Stakeholders meeting on Saturday, May 17, in Kaduna. The very important meeting, which held at the Murtala Muhammad Square, brought together key political figures from the North West zone, including the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Umar Ganduje, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and several State Governors. The meeting, according to the communique read by the host Governor, Senator Uba Sani, underscored the party’s commitment to unity and strategic planning ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

A significant outcome of the meeting, of course, was the unanimous endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. Stakeholders commended the Tinubu’s administration’s infrastructural projects, such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Road, which have positively impacted the Northwest zone. They also praised his efforts in human capital development, agriculture, education, and poverty alleviation, highlighting the administration’s alignment with the APC’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Governor Uba Sani’s role as the coordinating governor of the Northwest was pivotal in facilitating this endorsement. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering party unity and addressing internal disputes within the zone. The meeting activated the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, ensuring a more formidable zonal structure to secure future electoral victories.

The endorsement, no doubt, carries significant weight for President Tinubu’s preparation for the 2027 election. The Northwest zone, with its substantial voter base and political influence, is crucial for any presidential candidate. The APC’s consolidated support in this region enhances the party’s prospects of securing a second term for President Tinubu. Furthermore, the meeting’s emphasis on unity and strategic planning sets a positive precedent for the party’s nationwide campaign efforts. It tallies with Governor Uba Sani’s position that APC’s leadership under President Tinubu, is embracing the desires and aspirations of the people, irrespective of the quest for votes.

Indeed, in Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has perfected inclusive governance, irrespective of the political, ethnic or religious persuasions of the citizens and residents of the 23 local government areas of the State. In fact, since he became Governor, overwhelming majority of indigenes and residents of Kaduna State have become ‘party blind.’ Across the three Senatorial Zones in the State, the people have become united by the imperative and the urgency of supporting Governor Uba Sani to deepen the peace, safety and security that now reign in the State. They are also united in their support for the Governor’s transformative agenda especially in the hitherto forgotten and underserved rural areas of the State. Under Governor Uba Sani, the people of Kaduna State are shunning petty divisiveness in favour of an inclusive governance that has engendered rapid development of the state in practically all facets.

At a huge rally in February, this year, several notable political leaders from other parties formally announced their decision to pitch their political tents with the APC under Governor Uba Sani. Some of the renowned political leaders who announced their switch to the APC alongside their followers included a former Governor of the State, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. Also received into the APC, along with their numerous supporters, were serving and former members of the National and State Assembly respectively.

At the remarkable rally, the decampees were unequivocal that their decision to join the APC was because of Governor Uba Sani’s administration’s inclusive and people-centred policies and programmes, as well as the internal democracy within the APC in Kaduna State. They committed themselves to intensive and extensive mobilization of more members for the ruling party and rendering of all necessary support to ensure the success of the Uba Sani administration. The political bigwigs also lauded Governor Uba Sani’s very cordial working ties with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and also pledged their unalloyed support for the President.

The North West geopolitical zone holds significant sway in Nigeria’s political and electoral landscape, often regarded as the country’s dominant power base, particularly in presidential elections. Comprising seven states — Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, and Zamfara — the region is the most populous zone in the country, giving it a substantial numerical advantage in elections. With millions of registered voters, it consistently delivers some of the highest voter turnouts in the country, making it a critical battleground for presidential hopefuls.

In addition to voter strength, the North West is influential in shaping national discourse through its traditional institutions, political elites, and religious leaders. As Nigeria navigates complex challenges, the North West remains central to discussions of power sharing, national unity, and political stability, solidifying its role as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics. With the tenacious and very tactical efforts of Governor Uba Sani and other political bigwigs in the North West, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clearly has the upper hand in the zone, in the event of any political contest, particularly the 2027 presidential election.

Mustapha, a freelance journalist, resides in Barnawa, Kaduna state.