Senator representing Kano South, Kawu Sumaila, has urged members of the newly constituted All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to acknowledge the economic hardship confronting Nigerians and make the government’s measures to ease the burden a central part of their engagement with voters.
Sumaila gave the charge on Sunday in a goodwill message to the Director-General of the campaign council, Abdulaziz Yari, and other members of the over 200-member team constituted ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He said the success of the campaign would depend largely on how effectively the council reconnects the APC-led government with Nigerians, particularly voters at the grassroots.
The senator cautioned against a campaign strategy focused solely on listing the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying the team must also demonstrate empathy and acknowledge the difficulties being experienced by households.
“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.
“Our campaign must demonstrate that we truly feel their pain, understand their daily struggles, and are sincerely committed to delivering meaningful reliefs,” he said.
Sumaila urged the campaign council to ensure that grassroots constituents were carried along in the mobilisation process while explaining the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration in terms that voters could understand.
He warned that a failure to bridge the gap between the government, the APC and the electorate could create perceptions capable of undermining the party’s electoral prospects.
“Disconnect between leadership and the electorate creates misperceptions and misunderstandings that ultimately undermines both the President and the party,” he said.
The senator’s call comes as the APC prepares to defend Tinubu’s record in the 2027 election amid growing opposition criticism of the administration’s economic policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the resulting increase in the cost of living.
Sumaila said the campaign council should therefore combine the communication of government achievements with a clear explanation of the steps being taken to provide relief to citizens.
“We must leverage our collective expertise to clearly convey the President’s key policies, programs, and strategic vision so the public fully recognises his commitment to national progress,” he said.
He also urged the campaign team to operate within the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution, arguing that compliance with electoral laws would be important to sustaining public confidence in the election.
On party unity, Sumaila called on APC leaders and members to resolve internal disagreements and work together for Tinubu’s re-election.
“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.
He congratulated Yari and other members of the campaign council on their appointments and wished them success in the assignment.
