2027: Shekarau, Northern Ex-Govs Mobilise For Tinubu

2027: Shekarau, Northern Ex-Govs Mobilise For Tinubu

By Chibuzo Ukaibe, Abuja

A coalition of prominent northern political leaders, former governors, serving and former senators and key stakeholders has concluded plans to formally unveil a high-powered political mobilisation platform named Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The group, conceived as the organized northern vanguard for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will operate a structured organogram spanning the 19 Northern states and the FCT, and an elaborate national and zonal leadership structures.

The movement will be led at the helm by a 14-member Board of Trustees (BOT) which brings together tested political figures with deep grassroots networks across the North-West, North-East and North-Central.

The BOT is chaired by former Kano State Governor and ex-Education Minister, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, a statement by the Head of Media Relations of A4A, Edwin Olofu, said.

Shekarau will be deputised by the duo of former Yobe State governor and current Minister of Police Affairs, Sen. Ibrahim Geidam and former Plateau State governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Barr Simon Bako Lalong.

Other members of the BOT are: Alh. Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Sen. Joshua Dariye, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, HE Isa Yuguda, H.E Rev. Jolly Nyame, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, HE Yahaya Adoza Bello, Haj. Aishatu Dukku, Haj. Binta Ibrahim and H.E Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who will serve as the BOT’s Secretary assisted by Engr Abubakar Gambo.

To lead operations of the vanguard, the National Directorate has H.E Badaru Abubakar as Director General. He will drive overall campaign strategy, coordinate all 19 States and FCT chapters, and oversee various directorates at the National Headquarters.

He will be supported by three Deputy National Coordinators: H.E Barr. Ibrahim Shema (North-West), H.E Yahaya Bello (North-Central) and Hon. Abdulrazaq Namdas (North-East).

Directors appointed to man various arms of the operations include: Dr. Bala Wunti (Director, Finance & Resource Mobilisation) with Abdulrahman Leme as his deputy.

Operations & Logistics will be headed by Sen. Tijjani Yahaya Kaura with Major-Gen. A.T Jibril (rtd) as his Deputy. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz is the  Director Communications & Media Strategy with Jibrin Baba Ndace as Deputy. Mr Edwin Olofu will also serve as Head of Media Relations in the same Directorate.

Barr. Ismail Ahmed will take charge of Mobilization assisted by Hon. Michael Msuaan. Youth Affairs Directorate will be led by Engr. Abba Aliyu with Comr. Murtala Gamji as Deputy. Sen. Sani Musa is to serve as Director for Business Community & Professionals assisted by Dr. Shamsuddeen Ahmad. Religious Community directorate will be headed by Mal. Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammad to be assisted by two deputies; Hon. Abubakar Jallo and Rev Yakubu Pam.

Mal. Jalal Arabi, mni will be the head of Eminent Personalities & Civil Servants mobilisation assisted by Sunusi Musa, SAN.  Amb. Bashir Yuguda is to serve as Director for Civil Society  assisted by Hon. Yusuf Capt. Buba.

Parliamentary Mobilisation will be led by Sen. Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila to be assisted by Hon. Ahmed Alhaji Satomi. Bashir Dabo is Director, Research & Strategy with Hon. Eng. Bello Lawal as his Deputy.

Engr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu is in charge of ICT and Situation Room, assisted by Dr Khalipha Nuhu. Directorate of Creative and Entertainment Industry is headed by Ali Nuhu with Tukura John Daniel as deputy.

Directorate for Traditional Institutions liaison has Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar will serve as Director with Alh. Abbas Tijjani Hashim as Deputy. For Women Mobilisation Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Iman Suleiman will serve as the Director assisted by Hajiya Safiya UK Ibrahim and Hajiya Halima Shehu.

Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal,mni will serve as Director Academic Community mobilisation with Prof Sadiya Sani Daura and Prof Judith Onyefu Dawulung as deputies. Students Affairs directorate will be led by Zakari Usman Mijinyawa with Dr. Abbas Nafada as deputy.

To man the Secretariat Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman will serve as the Secretary to be assisted by Aliyu Abdullahi Tanko as her deputy.

To drive the grassroots architecture, state coordinators have been nominated across the 19 northern states and FCT. They are: Adamawa, Hon Alosius Babadoke; Bauchi, Dr Nura Manu Soro; Benue, Hon. Emmanuel Jime; Gombe, Hon. Abubakar Inuwa Kari; Jigawa, Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel; Kaduna, Hon Ahmed Maiyaki; Kano, H.E Abdullahi T. Gwarzo; KKatsina,  Engr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma; Kebbi, Hon Shehu Sarki Kebbi-Jega; Niger, Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta; Plateau, Hon. Yakubu Dati; Sokoto, Hon Isa Sadiq Acida; Taraba, Amb. John Musa; Kogi, Pham. Muhammed Jami’u A. Asuku; Kwara, Alh. Nuruddeen Imam; Nasarawa, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Musa (Baraden Nasarawa); Borno, Hon. Muhammed Goni Maulud; Yobe, Hon. Sulaiman Isyaku; Zamfara, Lawal M. Liman and Hon. Shitu Mohammed Kabir for the FCT.

A formal unveiling is expected in Abuja in the coming days, with zonal and state inaugurations to follow.

End.