By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
The political machinery behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid gathered fresh momentum on Friday as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, separately rallied supporters and stakeholders across the North-Central region and Rivers State in a coordinated effort to strengthen grassroots support for the President and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The two political heavyweights, speaking at separate events in Abuja and Rivers State, underscored the growing mobilisation efforts aimed at consolidating support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket ahead of the next general election.
In Abuja, Akume led a high-level gathering of political leaders under the banner of the North Central Grassroots Mobilisation Network, where he unveiled an ambitious programme designed to expand the President’s support base across communities in the region.
The meeting drew key figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, senior party officials and grassroots mobilisers from across the North-Central zone.
Addressing the gathering, Akume described the region as a critical battleground in the 2027 electoral contest and urged party leaders and supporters to unite behind efforts to secure another mandate for the President.
According to him, the mobilisation network was established specifically to coordinate grassroots campaigns and voter engagement across the six North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory.
As part of its strategy, the group announced a series of major activities, including a grand rally scheduled for October 10, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, a region-wide medical outreach programme and a grassroots advocacy tour that will cover all 19 senatorial districts in the zone.
Akume explained that the medical outreach would provide eye examinations, cataract assessments, glaucoma screening, diabetic eye checks and other healthcare services, describing the initiative as a way of combining political engagement with humanitarian intervention for ordinary citizens.
He added that the planned town hall meetings would create opportunities for direct interaction with communities, enabling stakeholders to engage residents on issues affecting the region while promoting support for the administration.
The SGF commended the National Coordinator of the mobilisation network and Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, for spearheading the initiative, noting that it had already received the backing of the APC national leadership.
Akume expressed confidence that the region’s political structures and grassroots networks possessed the capacity to deliver substantial support for the President, urging party leaders to remain focused and united as preparations for the 2027 election gather pace.
Speaking at the event, APC National Chairman Prof. Yilwatda said stakeholders across the North-Central had resolved to intensify efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu, stressing that unity among party members would be crucial to achieving the objective.
He disclosed that plans were underway to mobilise thousands of APC supporters from across the region for the Lafia rally and announced the establishment of a reconciliation committee aimed at resolving internal disputes and strengthening cohesion within the party.
Yilwatda maintained that overcoming internal disagreements would improve coordination among stakeholders and position the party more strongly ahead of the election.
Echono, on his part, said the initiative was intended to bring the North-Central together as a united political bloc while demonstrating the region’s commitment to Tinubu’s re-election.
He argued that the 2027 election would provide an important platform for the zone to project its interests more effectively within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Governor Sule also threw his weight behind the initiative, describing it as a timely effort to unite political stakeholders. He noted that the APC currently controls most states in the region and enjoys support within the FCT Administration, a development he said provides a strong foundation for future electoral mobilisation.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometres away in Rivers State, Wike used a consultative meeting with stakeholders of the Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area to reaffirm his unwavering support for President Tinubu.
The FCT Minister declared that his political alliance with the President remained intact and called on political actors in Rivers State to work collectively toward strengthening support for the administration.
Wike insisted that politics should be guided by the collective interests of the people rather than personal grudges, arguing that successful leadership requires the ability to accommodate diverse opinions and interests.
He reiterated his earlier pledge to resign from office if President Tinubu fails to secure victory in both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory during the next presidential election.
According to him, his renewed involvement in grassroots mobilisation across Rivers State is driven by a desire to contribute to the development of his people and expand opportunities for the state.
The former Rivers governor also defended his decision to engage with former political opponents, dismissing criticism from social media commentators and insisting that broad-based alliances remain essential in politics.
Accompanied by prominent political figures, including Rivers APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda, Wike urged supporters not to be distracted by political attacks, stressing that strength in politics often comes from building larger coalitions and attracting wider support.
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