The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Niger State has set a target of two million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago banking on grassroots mobilisation to deliver the votes.
Bago announced the target on Monday in Minna during the inauguration of a 525-member Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign Council.
He explained that the council, comprising political appointees, lawmakers, local government chairmen and party stakeholders, would mobilise voters across the state to secure victory for the APC.
“If everybody would bring their own votes, it would give us more than one million votes. But our target is beyond that. The ambition this time around is to bring out over two million votes, and by the grace of God, we will do that,” Bago said.
He urged members to mobilise support from the grassroots to the state level, adding that the party would welcome members returning from other political parties.
The governor stated that the APC would campaign on the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, improved revenue, job creation and infrastructure development. He also cited improvements in roads and security in parts of Niger State.
Bago disclosed that the party planned to commission its North Central Presidential Campaign Office in Minna next week, with the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC National Chairman expected to attend.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, urged APC members to support all the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections, warning against divided loyalty.
Idris said the party would highlight the Tinubu administration’s record in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic reforms during the campaign.
He described the appointment of Ambassador Ahmed Musa Ibeto as Director-General of the campaign council as appropriate, citing his political experience.
The APC North Central chairman Mu’azu Bawa Rijau urged the party not to underestimate its opponents, saying it aimed to retain the Niger governorship and win the state’s Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly seats.
In his acceptance speech, Ibeto pledged to coordinate the council’s activities through structures spanning directorates, local governments, wards and polling units.
He said the council would prioritise grassroots mobilisation, unity, discipline and compliance with electoral guidelines to achieve the party’s objectives.