2027: Yari leads APC delegation to Ooni of Ife, Emir of Ilorin

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has led party chieftains on consultative visits to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu-Gambari, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement from Yari’s media office, the visits were aimed at strengthening engagement with traditional institutions, fostering mutual understanding and seeking the prayers, blessings and counsel of traditional rulers as part of the council’s nationwide consultations.

The statement clarified that the visits were not intended to secure political endorsements or mobilisation support from the monarchs, but to seek their prayers and blessings, highlighting the moral and spiritual role traditional rulers play in the country’s political process.

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Speaking at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace, Yari expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to win the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections in Kwara State.

The former Zamfara State governor cited progress recorded since 2019, including efforts to address challenges in education and healthcare delivery, the establishment of new hospitals and other reforms.

Yari also said the campaign would build on the strength of the party and the achievements of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as well as his position as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to expand the party’s influence nationally.

The statement described the visits to traditional rulers in Kwara and Oyo states as the formal commencement of a nationwide consultative tour involving traditional and political leaders across the country.

It said the tour was intended to build consensus and seek blessings ahead of key campaign activities leading up to January 16, 2027, which the statement described as a significant date in the electoral calendar.

The statement added that the visits reflected the council’s recognition of the role traditional rulers play in promoting peace, unity and stability, as well as its commitment to involving stakeholders in preparations for the elections.

Yari was accompanied by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru; former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

Other members of the delegation included former governors and senators Adamu Aliero, Ali Modu Sheriff, Rochas Okorocha, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Danjuma Goje, who served as governors of Kebbi, Borno, Imo, Zamfara, Jigawa and Gombe states, respectively.

Also on the delegation were former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole.