2027: Yari has capacity, network to drive Tinubu’s campaign — APC chieftain

An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Kaduna State, Yusuf Ali, has described the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor and Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election as a strategic move capable of strengthening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Mr Ali said Mr Yari possesses the political experience, grassroots network, strategic capacity and national reach required to coordinate a formidable campaign and mobilise Nigerians across political, regional and demographic divides.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, the APC chieftain said Yari’s rise from a grassroots politician to Governor of Zamfara State and subsequently a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was the product of years of political investment, loyalty, discipline and relationship-building.

“Yari’s emergence is not an accident of politics; it is the reward for years of loyalty, hard work, strategic networking and an understanding of how to mobilise people and manage political structures,” he said.

According to Ali, Yari’s political pedigree and extensive relationships across the country give him an important advantage as the APC prepares for the 2027 presidential election.

He recalled that Yari had previously expressed interest in leading the APC as National Chairman during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Although geopolitical considerations prevented him from achieving the ambition at the time, Ali said Yari demonstrated political resilience by continuing to build his influence and eventually securing a seat in the National Assembly.

“I have known Senator Abdulaziz Yari from close quarters, and I witnessed his rise from the grassroots to the highest levels of political leadership. What stood out was not just ambition, but loyalty, patience, hard work and an extraordinary ability to build relationships,” he said.

Ali said those qualities were among the reasons he and other like-minded party members had previously mobilised support for Yari when he sought the APC chairmanship.

“He is a man of capacity and capability. He understands people, he understands structures and, importantly, he understands the mechanics of political mobilisation. These are the qualities a presidential campaign requires,” he said.

The APC chieftain further noted that Yari’s political journey through the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011, his tenure as Zamfara governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, as well as his subsequent membership of the Senate, had enabled him to develop an extensive national political network.

He said Yari’s influence extends beyond conventional party structures, noting that the former governor had cultivated relationships with youths, traditional rulers, women’s organisations, religious leaders, community leaders and other influential stakeholders, particularly across Northern Nigeria.

“Politics is ultimately about people, relationships and trust. Yari has spent years building bridges with different constituencies. That network is an enormous asset to the Tinubu campaign,” Ali said.

He argued that the 2027 election would require more than conventional political messaging, stressing that the campaign must translate the achievements and policies of the Tinubu administration into compelling narratives that resonate with Nigerians at the grassroots.

Ali expressed confidence that Yari possesses the organisational capacity to coordinate political actors, campaign professionals, grassroots structures and influential stakeholders towards a common objective.

“A presidential campaign is too complex to be run on slogans alone. It requires strategy, coordination, discipline, communication and an understanding of the political terrain. Yari has been tested in all these areas,” he said.

Ali also commended Yari for surrounding himself with intellectuals, professionals and technocrats, saying this had enabled him to combine political mobilisation with informed policy thinking.

“One of Yari’s strengths is that he does not operate in an intellectual vacuum. He surrounds himself with people who bring ideas, knowledge and expertise to the table. He understands that political power must ultimately translate into better governance and a better life for the people,” he said.

He said the combination of Yari’s grassroots political connections and access to experienced professionals could provide the Tinubu campaign with a strong organisational and intellectual foundation ahead of 2027.

Ali further described Yari as a politician capable of building consensus and managing diverse interests within a broad political coalition.

“Yari is a bridge-builder. He knows how to bring people together, reconcile interests and keep a political team focused on the larger objective. That is precisely the kind of leadership a presidential campaign needs,” he said.

He added that Yari’s understanding of Northern Nigeria, coupled with his national political contacts, would be particularly valuable in strengthening the APC’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.

“The North knows Yari, the grassroots knows Yari, political leaders know Yari, and the National Assembly knows Yari. That breadth of relationships gives him a rare political advantage,” Ali said.

The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the appointment would energise APC members and supporters across the country, describing Yari as a campaign manager with the experience and political stamina to lead a nationwide electoral operation.

“In Yari, President Tinubu has not merely appointed a campaign Director-General; he has acquired a political organiser, strategist and bridge-builder with decades of experience. He can build the machinery capable of delivering victory in 2027, Insha Allah,” he said.

Ali therefore urged APC members, supporters and stakeholders to rally behind the campaign leadership and work collectively towards Tinubu’s re-election.

“2027 will be won by organisation, mobilisation, communication and unity. With the right strategy and a united party, victory is achievable. Yari has the capacity to help lead that effort,” he said.