2027: Ibrahim Masari, Muttaqa Rabe-Darma Sustain Mass Mobilization for Tinubu’s Re-election

By Abdullahi Alhassan

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political and Other Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma have intensified grassroots mobilization in Katsina State ahead of the 2027 general elections, engaging Islamic clerics, women groups, youth associations, persons with disabilities and dozens of APC support groups.

The latest engagements, which cut across political, humanitarian and empowerment fronts, are geared towards consolidating support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.

Clerics Endorsement: 1,117 Scholars Mobilized

On October 26, 2026, Masari and Rabe-Darma convened a major stakeholders meeting in Katsina where no fewer than 1,117 Islamic clerics from the Izala and Tijjaniyya (Darika) groups declared support for Tinubu’s second term bid.

The gathering, organized by Masari, had in attendance scholars, Imams, male and female preachers and teachers, including leaders of the Council of Ulama.

Masari, who conveyed the President’s appreciation to the clerics, assured them that the administration would not betray the confidence reposed in them by Katsina residents, noting that a second term for Tinubu would benefit the North and the Muslim community.

Rabe-Darma on his part urged the clerics to use their influence, particularly Friday sermons and community engagements, to explain the administration’s policies and political agenda and to mobilize their followers for APC at all levels. 47d2

Youth Empowerment and Scholarship Expansion

Beyond political mobilization, the two APC stalwarts are using empowerment as a tool.

Masari, through the Ibrahim Kabir Masari Foundation, announced a proposed 40-30-30 allocation of his scholarship funds in honour of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, President Tinubu’s late mother, Dr. Abibatu Mogaji and his own mother, and pledged to increase the number of Katsina student beneficiaries from 133 to at least 500 in 2027.

The scheme was presented at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) Katsina, where Rabe-Darma disclosed that it was inspired by a female medical student who lost her father.

Similarly, the Ibrahim Masari Foundation recently inaugurated its new office in Katsina where 500 women each received a bag of maize and N10,000 cash, with Governor Dikko Radda adding an extra N3.5 million to double the cash support. The Foundation said it has been active for two years offering food distribution, hospital assistance and educational support for orphans, widows and persons with special needs. 3cfa

In Malumfashi, Masari also empowered 1,000 beneficiaries with N300,000 starter capital each to promote self-reliance and economic recovery, an initiative Governor Radda described as aligned with his administration’s youth empowerment strategy.

APC Support Groups, Women and Persons with Disabilities

Similarly, Muttaqa Rabe-Darma inaugurated the Grassroots Mobilization for Tinubu and Dikko (GMTD) in Katsina, a political support group aimed at strengthening grassroots backing for Tinubu and Radda. The inauguration attracted political stakeholders, youth leaders, women groups and APC supporters from across the state.

The Minister said GMTD was established specifically to deepen grassroots mobilization and public confidence in the party’s leadership, with its state office to be formally opened soon.

Just recently, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Katsina endorsed Tinubu and Radda at a meeting with Rabe-Darma, saying the endorsement was in appreciation of his interventions for physically challenged persons.

The group, led by Sarkin Makafin Katsina, Alhaji Garba Muhammad-Nahuta, assured that they have obtained their PVCs and will reciprocate with votes in 2027.

The engagements have been complemented by other support groups like the Matan Ta Dikko Mobilization and Awareness Forum which recently welcomed over 2,700 women defectors from PDP and ADC, and coalitions of youth and women associations in Funtua who pledged massive mobilization for Tinubu/Radda.

Political observers say the combined strategy of engaging clerics, women, youth, Persons with Disabilities and structured support groups like GMTD is positioning the APC for a strong outing in Katsina in 2027, with Masari providing presidential linkage and Rabe-Darma anchoring ministerial and grassroots structures.