By Lanre Oloyede
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged former presiding officers of State Houses of Assembly across the country to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Basiru made the call at a programme organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, with the theme, “Kaduna 2026: United Voices of Experience, All Together for Tinubu 2027.”
He described the former legislative leaders as influential political stakeholders whose years of public service and electoral experience could be deployed to strengthen the APC’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, their political networks and understanding of governance placed them in a strategic position to educate Nigerians on the rationale behind the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and counter what he described as misleading opposition narratives.
The APC national secretary said the President inherited a difficult economic situation upon assuming office, requiring bold policy decisions to address fiscal challenges and reposition the economy.
He cited the removal of the petrol subsidy and the adoption of a market-driven foreign exchange regime as key measures introduced by the administration to address longstanding economic distortions.
Although the reforms initially imposed difficulties on Nigerians, Basiru argued that they had improved the financial capacity of state governments, enabling many to meet salary and pension obligations while increasing spending on infrastructure and other development projects.
He urged the former presiding officers to explain the objectives and implications of the reforms to their constituents, stressing the need for sustained public enlightenment on the administration’s economic policies.
Basiru also challenged opposition leaders who had previously occupied prominent government positions to account for their records in office before criticising the current administration.
He specifically questioned the economic prescriptions of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, citing his involvement in previous administrations and raising concerns about the privatisation of national assets.
The APC scribe cautioned Nigerians against what he described as unrealistic campaign promises and politically motivated narratives by opposition figures seeking to gain electoral advantage ahead of 2027.
He maintained that voters should assess political parties and candidates based on their records in government, policy direction and demonstrable performance rather than unsubstantiated promises.
The former legislative leaders were also urged to intensify community engagement, strengthen party structures and communicate the administration’s policies to voters at the grassroots.
Basiru emphasised that securing victory for Tinubu and the APC in 2027 would require unity among party members, effective communication and coordinated mobilisation across the country.
He said the collective experience of former presiding officers could play a significant role in consolidating the party’s political base and securing support for the President’s second-term ambition.
The APC national secretary reaffirmed the need for party faithful and political stakeholders to work together in taking the administration’s message to communities nationwide as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
