By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
The Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum (PLGCF) has launched a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign to galvanise support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The forum, comprising about 685 elected local government chairmen from the 31 APC-controlled states, said sustained engagement with communities across the country would be central to the party’s electoral strategy ahead of the polls.
The resolution was announced on Wednesday when members of the forum’s executive council paid a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Chairman of the forum and Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Jibrin, described council chairmen as political leaders with the closest relationship to the people.
He said local government officials have firsthand knowledge of the needs and aspirations of their communities, making them indispensable to the party’s grassroots mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jibrin commended President Tinubu for supporting local government autonomy and implementing reforms aimed at strengthening governance at the grassroots, noting that empowered councils are better positioned to deliver meaningful development directly to the people.
He disclosed that the forum had constituted a National Working Committee to coordinate its nationwide mobilisation activities and announced plans to formally endorse President Tinubu for a second term during its forthcoming national inauguration.
Jibrin also called for closer collaboration between the forum and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, to strengthen coordination and deepen the party’s structures across the federation.
Also speaking, the forum’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Hon. Rawlings Dagidi, said recent administrative and financial reforms had enhanced the capacity of local governments to execute infrastructure projects and improve service delivery.
According to him, council chairmen would return to their respective local government areas to mobilise councillors, supervisors, ward officials and party members in support of the APC’s programmes and future electoral activities.
Responding, APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, described local government chairmen as one of the party’s greatest political assets, saying their closeness to the people gives them a unique advantage in mobilising support at the grassroots.
He urged elected council chairmen to take ownership of the party’s mobilisation efforts, stressing that every leadership position carries the responsibility of building public confidence and expanding support for the APC and its candidates.
Yilwatda also commended APC-controlled local governments for implementing projects in education, healthcare, road construction and water supply, noting that effective grassroots governance remains critical to reducing poverty and improving the living standards of Nigerians.
The APC national chairman assured the forum of the party’s commitment to facilitating closer engagement with the Progressive Governors’ Forum and pledged to brief President Tinubu on the initiative.
During the visit, the forum presented branded campaign materials to the APC national leadership and formally named Prof. Yilwatda as its National Patron.
