By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Zone 1 in the Kaduna North Senatorial District has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for a second term in office.

The endorsement came during a high-profile stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday at the Federal College of Education, Zaria. The gathering featured former and serving ministers, ex-Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, members of the National and State Assemblies, ambassadors, commissioners, heads of MDAs, and party leaders.

Speakers at the event praised the achievements of the Tinubu-led Federal Government, Governor Uba Sani’s administration, and the legislative strides of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, urging party members to remain united for a resounding victory in the 2027 general elections.

Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal Abbas, emphasized the need for unity within the APC, warning that only a united front would secure victory in 2027. He cited President Tinubu’s support for Kaduna, including the re-award and six-month completion directive for the Abuja-Kaduna and Zaria-Sokoto roads, as clear evidence of his commitment to the state.

He called on Zone 1 residents to distance themselves from what he described as the “blind horse” — a metaphor for opposition parties that offer no tangible path forward.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas disclosed that over ₦50 billion has been earmarked in the 2025 federal budget for projects across the eight local government areas of Kaduna Zone 1. Additional funding, he noted, has been allocated for infrastructure in institutions like Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State University, and the College of Education, Gidan Waya.

He announced that farm inputs, equipment, and seedlings would soon be distributed to farmers in the zone, alongside Hajj and Jerusalem pilgrimage slots for key stakeholders to intercede in prayer for the nation.

Abbas expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Governor Sani for supporting his emergence as Speaker, stressing that mobilizing support for their re-election was the best way to appreciate their contributions.

He also called for regular party meetings at all levels to strengthen internal democracy and urged political officeholders to prioritize collective benefit over personal gains.

Senator Suleiman Uthman Hunkuyi criticized opposition parties, claiming they lack the leadership caliber of the APC. He urged party members to reject misleading narratives that downplay the achievements of APC leaders.

Former Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero advocated for house-to-house campaigns ahead of the 2027 polls, declaring that Zone 1 remains the heartbeat of Kaduna politics.

In his welcome remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, described Zone 1 as the most politically endowed in the state, boasting prominent figures such as the Speaker and the Minister of Environment. He encouraged members to remain loyal to the APC and work toward its electoral success.

National Vice Chairman (North West) of the APC, Hon. Mohammed Datti Babawo, lauded the achievements of President Tinubu, Governor Sani, and Speaker Abbas, referring to the latter as a “silent achiever” who had brought numerous federal projects to Kaduna and the North-West. He also announced plans for an upcoming electronic membership registration drive by the party at the national level.

The meeting concluded with a motion moved and unanimously adopted, endorsing President Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas as the APC’s sole candidates for their respective positions ahead of the 2027 elections.