2027: Yari, APC PCC meet Emir of Ilorin, Ooni for royal blessings for Tinubu, tip APC to retain Kwara

2027: Yari, APC PCC meet Emir of Ilorin, Ooni for royal blessings for Tinubu, tip APC to retain Kwara

Tip APC to retain Kwara

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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Abdulaziz Yari, led a delegation of other members of the council to hold a strategic meeting with the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu-Gambari, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to seek royal blessings for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in next year’s presidential election.

The visits, according to the statement from Yari’s media office, were designed to strengthen engagement with traditional institutions, foster mutual understanding, and seek the support, blessings and counsel of the traditional leaders.

The media office also claimed that the visits were in line with the strategic move aimed at deepening engagement with Nigeria’s traditional institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While reiterating that the visits to the traditional leaders were part of the council’s ongoing nationwide consultations, the statement however clarified that it was not to seek political endorsement or mobilisation of support from the eminent royal fathers.

It further maintained that: “It was rather to seek the prayers and blessings of the royal fathers, to underscore the moral and spiritual anchorage the traditional rulers provide in the nation’s political process.”

Speaking at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace, Senator Yari expressed confidence: “in the capacity of the APC to win the presidential, governorship, National and State Assembly seats in the North Central state.”

The former Zamfara State governor gave examples of progress recorded since 2019, adding: “they include the resolution of past challenges in education and healthcare delivery, the establishment of new hospitals, and far-reaching reforms.”

Yari further reaffirmed that: “the campaign would leverage the strength of the party, the landmark achievements of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside the governor’s role as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to extend its influence nationally.”

The statement disclosed that the royal visits to Kwara and Oyo State “mark the formal commencement of a nationwide consultative tour to traditional and political leaders across the country, building consensus and gathering blessings ahead of key campaign activities leading up to 16th January 2027, a significant date in the electoral calendar.”

It further stated that: “the consultative visits underscore its recognition of the pivotal role traditional rulers play in promoting peace, unity and stability across the country, and reaffirm its commitment to carrying all stakeholders along in the build-up to the elections.”

Yari was accompanied on the visits by National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Bello Masari.

Also on the entourage were Senators Adamu Aliero, Ali Modu Sheriff, Rochas Okorocha, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Danjuma Goje, former governors of Kebbi, Borno, Imo, Zamfara, Jigawa and Gombe states, respectively.

Others were Ibrahim Shema, Olusegun Mimiko, former governors of Katsina and Ondo states, and Hon. Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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