2027: Zamfara Govt Engages 22 Parties Over Peaceful Campaigns

From Babangida Abdullahi Gusau

The Zamfara State Government has commenced grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with 100 political support groups registered to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Dauda Lawal’s Special Adviser on Political Matters and Inter-Relations, Nura Sani Abdullahi stated that in an interview with journalists at his office at Commissioner’s quarters Barakallahu area, Gusau.

Abdullahi said, the groups had been given orientation and materials to enable them to take political messages to communities across the state.

He said the groups had structures across the 14 local government areas and down to wards and polling units, describing them as a major channel for grassroots political engagement ahead of the elections.

According to him, the initiative followed a review of the activities and records of political support groups available when he assumed office.

“I went through the files and discovered that most of the political support groups we were supposed to have in the office were few. The number I saw was not what I expected.

“So I opened registration for political groups, and we now have 100 political support groups that endorsed the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal,” he said.

Abdullahi said the groups had subsequently participated in a workshop designed to strengthen their capacity for grassroots mobilisation.

He added that his office had also engaged political parties in the state as part of preparations for the 2027 elections.

He said 22 political parties were invited to a meeting held on August 22, with 20 state chairmen attending the engagement.

The meeting, according to him, was attended by representatives of security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), where participants agreed to promote peaceful political activities.

“We signed an agreement with them that we are going to conduct our campaign activities in a peaceful political manner,” he said.

Abdullahi said the primary objective of the meeting was to create an enabling environment for political activities rather than secure endorsements for the governor.

He, however, disclosed that discussions were ongoing with some political parties, claiming that at least eight had indicated readiness to align with Governor Lawal and support APC candidates.

He said his office would make the details public when the discussions were concluded.

The adviser also said the government was determined to prevent the use of youths as political thugs during the 2027 campaigns.

“We can’t wait for them to be using our youths, thugs and whatever for election. We want to sanitise all the political activities during the coming 2027 election,” he said.

Recent reports also quoted Abdullahi as saying his office had engaged political parties and support groups to promote peaceful electioneering and strengthen grassroots mobilisation.

He said the political parties had agreed to work towards peaceful campaigns, adding that the engagement would continue as the election period approaches.