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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja, and Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Political support for President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani ahead of the 2027 general elections has received fresh expressions from pastoralist organisations, the Igbo community in Kaduna and some members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who cited livestock sector reforms, infrastructure development and inclusive governance as reasons for their positions.
While a coalition of pastoralist groups pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election at a national rally in Kaduna, the Igbo Community Welfare Association endorsed Sani for a second term during its annual cultural celebration, where the governor announced the donation of N20 million and a new bus to the association.
In a separate development, some PDP members in Soba Local Government Area declared that they would vote for Sani despite retaining their opposition party membership, attributing their decision to the construction of roads linking rural communities and improving access to agricultural markets.
The pastoralist organisations announced their support on Saturday, October 31, at a grand national appreciation rally held at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, to acknowledge the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Federal Government’s interventions in the sector.
The rally attracted representatives of state governments, livestock farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, processors, marketers, commodity associations and other groups involved in the livestock value chain.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the establishment of the ministry in July 2024 as the fulfilment of decades of advocacy for a dedicated federal institution to address livestock production, animal health, investment and recurring conflicts between farmers and herders.
“Livestock farmers, pastoralists, ranchers, dairy farmers, livestock traders, dealers, transporters, butchers, processors and marketers, this is your own ministry. Take it, own it and use it to improve your livelihood, build peace, harmony and shared prosperity,” he said.
Maiha disclosed that seven modern veterinary hospitals had been completed, while 14 others were at various stages of development, adding that the ministry was implementing programmes covering animal disease control, pasture and fodder development, livestock breeding, dairy production and investment promotion.
He urged livestock associations to work closely with federal and state authorities to identify production constraints, improve access to veterinary services and develop practical proposals for strengthening the sector.
The minister also called for stronger cooperation between farmers and pastoralists in managing land and water resources, preventing conflicts and resolving disputes through dialogue.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, commended the President for establishing the ministry and pledged the state government’s continued cooperation with the Federal Government.
He identified solar-powered water facilities for pastoralist communities, livestock vaccination, artificial insemination, pasture development and improvements to abattoirs among the interventions being implemented in Kaduna.
“Mr. President has told us, livestock is not conflict, livestock is wealth. Pastoralists are not a problem; pastoralists are partners… So, Mr. President, we deeply appreciate your gesture in creating the Ministry of Livestock and this is a demonstration that come 2027, by the grace of God, it will just be a knockout,” the governor said through his representative.
The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the ministry’s creation as the fulfilment of a longstanding demand by pastoralist communities.
He said years of inadequate attention to the livestock sector had contributed to farmer-herder tensions, cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry, affecting the livelihoods and security of both farmers and pastoralists.
“The Ministry was created specifically to address the issue of peacebuilding, and that is what the Minister is doing. Peacebuilding is our concern. It is not only the concern of the farmers; it is also our concern,” he stated.
The National President of the Miyetti Allah Pulaku Yeso Yeso Development Association, Abubakar Suleiman, also commended the ministry’s programmes, while the President of the Federation of Agricultural and Commodity Associations of Nigeria, Sherif Balogun, who represented more than 65 commodity associations, cited emerging opportunities for agricultural producers, processors and exporters.
The coalition presented a traditional Fulani hat to President Tinubu, received on his behalf by the minister, as a symbolic expression of appreciation.
Meanwhile, the Igbo community in Kaduna endorsed Governor Sani for a second term during its 2026 Igbo Cultural Day celebration at the Nigerian Correctional Service Staff College, Barnawa.
At the event, the governor, represented by the APC deputy governorship candidate, Jerry Adams, donated N20 million and a new bus to the association.
The President-General of the Igbo Community Welfare Association, Kaduna State, Walter Chukwuma-Temple, said the endorsement reflected the community’s appreciation of the governor’s approach to inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence and the welfare of residents irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
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“Your administration’s disposition towards inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence and the welfare of residents, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, is highly appreciated.
“As a community, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting your administration and maintaining the cordial relationship that exists between us,” he said.
Temple recalled that the governor had previously donated a vehicle to the association and commended him for fulfilling a promise made in 2024 to provide another bus.
Responding, Sani acknowledged the contributions of Igbo residents to Kaduna’s economy through trade, commerce, professional services, entrepreneurship and employment generation.
“Kaduna State is grateful to the Igbo community for its contributions through trade and commerce, skilled hands, professional excellence, businesses you have built and jobs you have created. You have invested here and made Kaduna your home,” he said.
The governor recalled donating a Nissan Sienna bus to the association in 2019 while contesting the Kaduna Central senatorial election, saying his relationship with the community predated his emergence as governor.
He also cited appointments involving residents from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as road projects intended to improve access to markets and economic opportunities.
“Your endorsement is not a favour, but a responsibility to keep earning your confidence through service,” he said.
Sani urged members of the community to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the 2027 elections.
The celebration featured cultural displays and the conferment of the traditional title of Ugomba Ndigbo, Kaduna, on Adams.
Adams also appealed to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate, Senator Danjuma La’ah, who attended the occasion, to return to the APC, assuring him of a welcome.
In another development, some PDP members in Soba Local Government Area said they would support Sani in the governorship election because of road projects undertaken in their communities.
A PDP coordinator, Adamu Danburam, said his decision was informed by the governor’s intervention in road infrastructure rather than a change in political affiliation.
“I am a staunch PDP member, but for us, politics is about individuals. Although we belong to the PDP, I will vote for Uba Sani because he has done for me what the PDP could not do.
“Even as a PDP coordinator in my area, I will vote for Uba Sani because we should vote for someone who knows our community and has done something to improve our lives. I support him because he has constructed a road for us,” he said.
Danburam, however, appealed to the governor to provide a hospital, electricity and clean drinking water for Birnin Da’a village.
Another PDP member, Dogara Mohammed, said he had remained loyal to his party but intended to vote for the APC governorship candidate because of the road constructed through his community.
“Everybody knows that I have never changed political parties, but this time, I will vote for the APC because of the road he constructed through our town,” he said.
Hassan Adamu Abdullahi also recalled the difficulties farmers previously experienced transporting produce to markets, particularly during the rainy season.
“But now, Governor Uba Sani has constructed a road linking Gurundafi, Soba and Turawa. We can reach our destinations easily within a few minutes. We are truly grateful,” he said.
The state government has also reported road projects including the 15-kilometre Kasuwar Magani-Wusar road in Kajuru Local Government Area and the 23-kilometre Madaci-Madakiya-Kafanchan road in Jema’a Local Government Area.
