2027: Address Nigerians’ economic hardship, Kano senator urges APC campaign council

Senator representing Kano South, Suleiman Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to acknowledge the economic hardship facing Nigerians and make empathy, grassroots engagement and meaningful relief central to the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kawu, who is also the APC senatorial candidate for Kano South, said the ruling party must reconnect with Nigerians at the grassroots, strengthen its internal structures and unite all stakeholders if it hopes to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

The senator made the call in a goodwill message to former Zamfara State Governor and Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, following the constitution of the party’s campaign structure.

He said the APC’s campaign strategy must be built around responsiveness, effective communication, electoral integrity and a genuine understanding of the difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians.

Kawu said the party could not afford to ignore the economic realities facing households as it seeks to persuade voters to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We must approach our citizens with deep empathy, active listening, and genuine sensitivity to the economic hardships and socio-economic challenges currently affecting everyday families,” he said.

According to him, the campaign must convince Nigerians that the APC-led administration understands their struggles and is committed to providing meaningful relief.

“Our campaign must demonstrate that we truly feel their pain, understand their daily struggles, and are sincerely committed to delivering meaningful reliefs,” the senator added.

Kawu warned that a growing disconnect between political leaders and citizens could create misconceptions and misunderstandings capable of undermining confidence in both the President and the ruling party.

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“A disconnect between leadership and the electorate creates misperceptions and misunderstandings that ultimately undermine both the President and the party,” he said.

He therefore urged the APC campaign council to prioritise sustained engagement with constituents and communities across the country, particularly at the grassroots where voters directly experience the impact of government policies.

The senator’s comments come as political parties intensify their mobilisation following the commencement of the official campaign period for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19, 2026.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Kawu also urged the APC campaign team to strictly comply with the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that respect for electoral laws would be critical to maintaining the legitimacy of the election and public confidence in the democratic process.

“Our campaign activities must strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution, ensuring our efforts are rooted in legitimacy and public trust,” he said.

He further called on campaign officials to clearly communicate the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, saying Nigerians should be adequately informed about the government’s agenda and achievements.

“We must leverage our collective expertise to clearly convey the President’s key policies, programmes, and strategic vision so the public fully recognises his commitment to national progress,” Kawu said.

The senator’s call comes amid intense public debate over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system.

While the administration has maintained that the reforms are necessary to stabilise the economy and create the foundation for sustainable growth, Nigerians have continued to grapple with high living costs, food prices, transportation expenses and pressure on household incomes.

Kawu’s appeal suggests that the economic hardship facing Nigerians will remain an important issue for the APC as it campaigns for another term for Tinubu.

The Kano senator also identified party unity as a critical factor in the APC’s chances at the polls, urging party leaders and members to resolve internal disagreements and work together ahead of the elections.

“Victory depends on complete solidarity. We must heal internal rifts, set aside differences, and ensure that all key stakeholders, party leaders, and members at every level are fully carried along as equal partners in this mission,” he said.

Kawu said the APC must confront its strategic weaknesses, strengthen its grassroots structures and ensure that party leaders, elected officials, candidates and members operate towards a common objective.

He stressed the importance of the assignment, noting that he would be contesting for the Kano South senatorial seat on the same ballot as President Tinubu.

“As an APC senatorial candidate running on the same ballot and alongside the President, representing the 16 local government areas of Kano South, I recognise the magnitude of the task before us,” he said.

The senator’s comments came shortly after the APC unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council, with Yari appointed Director-General to coordinate the ruling party’s campaign machinery.

Yari has expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to retain the presidency in 2027 and pledged that the party would fulfil promises made to Nigerians during the campaign.

For Kawu, however, electoral victory will require more than campaign structures, political mobilisation and promises.

He said the APC must demonstrate that it understands the everyday realities of Nigerians, communicate the administration’s policies effectively, remain within the law and rebuild stronger connections with voters at the grassroots.

With the 2027 election campaign now underway, the senator’s message places economic hardship, grassroots engagement, party unity and electoral integrity among the issues the APC will have to address as it seeks to convince Nigerians to renew its mandate.

2027: Address Nigerians’ economic hardship, Kano senator urges APC campaign council

Sheikh Jingir Denies Anti-Christian Allegations, Charges Tinubu on Fairness for All Nigerians

Islamic cleric clarifies remarks amid backlash over Kano mass wedding comments, urges leaders to govern without religious or political bias

JOS—Chairman of the Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, has dismissed allegations that he harbours hatred towards Christians, describing the claims as “mere lies” and a misinterpretation of his recent remarks. The Islamic cleric came under heavy criticism following comments he made at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Kano State Government for 1,500 couples, which some Nigerians described as divisive along religious lines. The controversy was further fueled by the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) , which condemned his reported description of Christians as “Arna,” a Hausa term meaning infidel or unbeliever. Speaking at a one-day national symposium with the theme, “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” held in Jos on Sunday, Jingir insisted his remarks were not intended to express hatred towards Christians or non-Muslims.

Addressing the gathering, the JIBWIS chairman stated categorically that the allegations against him were unfounded and a gross misinterpretation of his earlier comments. “A lot of people are saying I dislike Christians. I didn’t say I dislike Christians. It is a lie. My remarks were misinterpreted,” Jingir declared. He further explained that Islamic teachings demand fairness and justice for people of all faiths, stressing that Muslims would be held accountable on the Day of Judgement for any injustice committed against non-Muslims. According to the cleric, “Leadership in Islam is not about cheating people of different faiths. Islam teaches us to share love with people of different faiths or sects.” He added that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) lived peacefully with people of other faiths, urging Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence as a cornerstone of national development.

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In a direct address to the nation’s political leaders, Jingir urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and other officials to ensure fairness and justice in discharging their responsibilities, regardless of citizens’ ethnic, religious, or political affiliations. “I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to cheat non-Muslims and Muslims alike. I also call on you not to cheat those who are not in the same political party with you. You should lead with justice and fairness to all Nigerians,” he said. The JIBWIS chairman also affirmed every Nigerian’s right to freely choose and support candidates of their choice during elections, stating that “everyone has the right to vote for whoever he feels is okay with him to vote for during an election.”

The controversy surrounding Jingir’s earlier comments has drawn widespread reactions from various quarters. The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) had warned that referring to Christians as “Arna” was inaccurate and amounted to a denigration of the Christian faith. In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Isaac Abrak, the group declared that “Christians are faithful believers in Jesus Christ, whom we worship as the Son of the Almighty God. We are not ‘infidels’ or people without faith.” NCYP warned that such rhetoric could “reopen old religious wounds” and provide fertile ground for extremists to exploit, while also calling on moderate Muslim leaders, Islamic scholars, and responsible religious leaders to publicly reject statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments.

In a separate development, a Christian advocacy organisation, RID Nigeria, demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Sheikh Jingir over his public labelling of Christians as “infidels,” citing violations of the Constitution, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Terrorism Prevention Act. The National Human Rights Commission had similarly called for Jingir’s arrest over a week ago, though no action has reportedly been taken. Despite the backlash, Jingir urged Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and togetherness, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of insecurity and division. “Without peace, there will be no development,” he said, calling on citizens to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the country’s various ethnic and religious groups.

Sheikh Jingir Denies Anti-Christian Allegations, Charges Tinubu on Fairness for All Nigerians