Yari-led electoral council engages Ooni and Sulu-Gambari on Tinubu’s re-election

The Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has led senior members of the council on a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, seeking royal blessings for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The move was part of the APC team’s efforts to garner support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the party would retain Kwara State.

A statement from Yari’s press office, made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, said the visits were aimed at deepening ties with traditional institutions, promoting mutual understanding and seeking prayers, blessings and guidance from royal leaders as the council continues its nationwide consultations.

The statement reads in part: “The delegation made it clear that it was not seeking political approval or support for the mobilization, but rather the prayers and blessings of the royal fathers, underlining the moral and spiritual anchoring that traditional rulers provide in the nation’s political process.

“The Director General and his entourage departed from the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following a morning stakeholders meeting, scheduled to depart at 11am.

The delegation first visited the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, in Kwara State, before proceeding to Ile-Ife, Osun State, where they paid homage to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

“At Ilorin Palace, the leaders reaffirmed confidence in the party’s strong base in the state. Citing the progress recorded since 2019 – including the resolution of past challenges in education and healthcare delivery, the establishment of new hospitals and far-reaching reforms – the leaders expressed optimism about the consolidation of the party’s dominance in Kwara State, which they estimate at 70% against the opposition’s 30%.

“The leaders further emphasized that the campaign will leverage Kwara’s expected strength, coupled with the governor’s role as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to extend his influence nationwide.

“The royal visits mark the formal start of a nationwide consultative tour among traditional and political leaders across the country, building consensus and garnering blessings ahead of key campaign activities leading up to 16 January 2027, a significant date in the election calendar.

“The Council noted that the consultative visits underline its recognition of the vital role that traditional rulers play in promoting peace, unity and stability across the country, and reaffirmed its commitment to bringing all stakeholders with it in the preparation for the elections.”

Yari was joined by the party’s national secretary, Ajibola Basiru; former National President, Dr. Umar Ganduje; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

Other members of the delegation were Adamu Aliero, Ali Modu Sheriff, Rochas Okorocha, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mohammed Badaru and Danjuma Goje, who had previously served as governors of Kebbi, Borno, Imo, Zamfara, Jigawa and Gombe states respectively.

The delegation also included former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Ahead of the official launch of the 2027 presidential campaign of the APC in Kaduna State on October 24, Yari engaged key stakeholders.