By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has vowed to relocate to Kano for two weeks to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bello made the pledge at the Yoruba Political Mobilisation and Empowerment Programme organised by the Leke Abejide Foundation in Kano, urging Yoruba and other non-indigenous communities to unite behind the All Progressives Congress.
He said he was prepared to go beyond political speeches and personally join efforts to deliver Tinubu and Yusuf, insisting that the communities’ reported nearly 500,000 votes for Tinubu in 2023 were not enough. He expressed confidence that Rep. Leke Abejide’s political network could mobilise at least two million votes for Tinubu in 2027.
Bello also urged the communities to support all APC candidates and appealed to Northerners to back Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the president should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms.
“After eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North, President Tinubu has not even completed his first four-year term. Must he complete his eight years before power returns to the North?” he asked.
He defended the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure record, citing improved conditions on the Kano-Abuja Federal Highway.
Earlier, Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State and is Asiwaju of Yoruba in Kano, said N500 million had been set aside as interest-free loans for women’s cooperative societies. Beneficiaries included Yoruba women from eight states and Igala and Ebira communities from Kogi resident in Kano. He said widows would receive food, clothing and financial assistance, with separate programmes planned for youths and men.
Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting non-indigenous communities and ensuring their participation in governance. He said special advisers had been appointed for Yoruba, Igbo and northern minority communities, adding that similar representation could be extended to Igala and other groups.
