Zamfara engages political parties, support groups for peaceful 2027 elections

Zamfara engages political parties, support groups for peaceful 2027 elections

By Sadiq Martins, Gusau

The Special Adviser to Gov. Dauda Lawal on Political Matters and Interparty-Relations, Alh. Nura Abdullahi, says his office has engaged various political parties and support groups to promote peaceful electioneering campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abdullahi said the engagement with the political stakeholders would also strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the state ahead of polls.

The Adviser made the disclosure while interacting with reporters in Gusau on Wednesday.

He said that 20 out of the 22 political parties invited to the engagement attended the meeting, where they discussed ways of ensuring peaceful political campaigns.

The Special Adviser said representatives of security agencies, including the Department of State Services, DSS, were also involved in the engagement.

He added that the participants agreed to conduct political activities peacefully and avoid actions capable of disrupting public order during the electioneering period.

Abdullahi said discussions with some political parties were ongoing, adding that at least eight parties had expressed readiness to align with Gov. Lawal and support the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates.

He, however, clarified that the initial engagement with the political parties was primarily aimed at creating an enabling environment for peaceful political activities and not specifically to secure political alliances.

Abdullahi stressed the state government stance in ensuring peaceful election in the state remains active emphasizing that it would not tolerate abusive or defamatory language by politicians during campaigns.

He said the state government is also sensitising the youths against the use of drugs or the use of dangerous weapons during political campaigns.

According to him, his office had registered 100 political support groups that would work assiduously toward supporting the re-election bid of Gov. Dauda Lawal and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

According to him, the groups have set up structures across the 14 local government areas, 147 wards and 3,529 polling units in the state.

Abdullahi explained that the groups had been provided with the needed support and orientation for effective mobilisation of voters through various political messages to take to the grassroots.

He said the office would continue to work with the groups to strengthen grassroots engagement and support the administration’s political activities.

Abdullahi also disclosed that his office had engaged aggrieved stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state as part of efforts to ensure intraparty peace ahead of the 2027 elections.

He assured of a united APC as outcome of the ongoing reconciliation.

“At my level, we are working tirelessly with the APC stakeholders through engaging aggrieved members and support groups through dialogue in an effort to bring them back into the party’s mainstream activities.

Abdullahi added that issues beyond the capacity of his office were referred to the governor for consideration.

He said some of the reconciled groups had pledged to continue mobilising support for the administration and participating in its political activities.

“Some supporters became aggrieved over expectations arising from their support for Gov. Dauda Lawal during the last general elections.

“The governor had appointed commissioners, special advisers, board members and board chairmen, among other political appointees and it is part of their responsibilities to support who work for the party’s victory in their communities.

“We urged the political appointees to maintain contact with supporters at the grassroots and address issues affecting them within their respective communities,” he said.

The Adviser urged political appointees not rely solely on their official duties but should also return to their communities and contribute to grassroots mobilisation.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his office to dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful political engagement as Zamfara prepares for the 2027 general elections. END