APC Mobilises Grassroots To Take FCT For Tinubu

All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has launched a fresh grassroots mobilisation drive to end the opposition’s dominance of the nation’s capital in presidential election ahead of the 2027 polls.

The party is banking on the political network and grassroots experience of a two-term former chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba, who has been unveiled as the FCT coordinator of the Yari 774 Initiative for Asiwaju.

The initiative, led nationally by Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire, is being positioned as a grassroots platform to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election through Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

At the public presentation of Jiba yesterday in Abuja, FCT APC chairman, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, said the party was determined to rewrite the territory’s presidential voting history in 2027.

Yamawo acknowledged that opposition parties had consistently secured the FCT in presidential elections, but said the APC was mobilising strategically to reverse the trend.

“Of a truth, the opposition has always succeeded in winning the FCT in presidential elections against the ruling party. However, the story will change in 2027,” he said.

He described Jiba’s emergence as strategic, noting that his previous positions as AMAC chairman and member representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives had given him considerable grassroots exposure.

“With his experience, he will ensure that FCT residents vote massively for Tinubu,” Yamawo said.

Emokpaire, who is the chairman and convener of the Yari 774 Initiative for Asiwaju, said the unveiling was also intended to end competing claims to the initiative’s leadership in the FCT.

He declared Jiba as the recognised leader of the FCT chapter, describing him as a tested grassroots politician with extensive knowledge of the territory.

“Let me state clearly today that the FCT Chapter of YARI 774 Initiative for Asiwaju is under the leadership of no other person than Hon. Micah Jiba,” Emokpaire said.

He said the clarification was necessary to establish a clear chain of command, prevent misrepresentation and ensure accountability as the mobilisation effort gathers momentum.

According to him, the initiative would remain open to all supporters of Tinubu’s re-election bid, but insisted that participation must be guided by discipline, coordination and respect for established leadership.

“There is room for everyone who genuinely believes in the political objectives of the initiative. But there must be discipline, coordination and respect for recognised leadership structures,” he said.

Emokpaire urged members of the initiative to take its message of peace, development, unity and responsible leadership to communities across the FCT.

In his remarks, Jiba said his assignment would be to connect political and grassroots stakeholders nationwide and build a formidable support base for Tinubu ahead of 2027.

The former AMAC chairman, who also served as National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), congratulated Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar on his appointment as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

He described Yari as a politician with the experience and national network required to lead the campaign.

Jiba said his years in local government administration had given him first-hand knowledge of the strategic importance of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, which he said would be central to the initiative’s mobilisation strategy.

“For me, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a sure connect for 2027. His administration has made major investments in road infrastructure. Roads connect communities, connect states, support businesses, improve movement and strengthen security,” he said.

He said the initiative would use existing grassroots structures to explain the administration’s programmes to voters while mobilising political support for the president.

“Our message is simple: Connect the grassroots, mobilise the people and deliver victory,” Jiba stated.

He called on political leaders, local government stakeholders, youths, women and other supporters of the administration to join the mobilisation campaign across the FCT.