Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’Aziz Yari, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure a fresh mandate in the 2027 presidential election.
Yari, who was recently appointed Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, said Tinubu’s performance since assuming office showed that Nigerians would support him for another term.
The former governor spoke on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he was received by party supporters after returning from an overseas trip.
Yari said the support for Tinubu would be based on the administration’s performance and the APC’s commitment to keeping promises made to Nigerians during the 2023 election campaign.
He assured Nigerians that the ruling party would fulfil the promises it made to the electorate, urging citizens to continue to support the APC.
“I want to assure Nigerians that whatever promise we made during campaign, we shall keep to our promises,” he said.
The former governor added that Tinubu had already demonstrated his capacity to lead the country and expressed confidence that the President would remain in office after the 2027 election.
“Today, we have seen him, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President today, and by God’s grace, he shall be the President come 2027,” Yari said.
He said the supporters who welcomed him at the airport had gathered to pray for him and the success of the President.
“The crowd are here to pray for me and for the success of Mr President,” he said.
Yari also asked Nigerians to have confidence in the APC, saying the party had built its reputation around fulfilling its commitments.
“Our party is synonymous with keeping to our words. We pray that Almighty Allah will give him, the President, the wisdom to lead this country. We assure Nigerians that we shall fulfil all our campaign promises,” he said.
The senator further expressed confidence that the APC would remain in power beyond the 2027 election.
“We pray that our party will continue to be the party to lead the country after President Tinubu’s second term,” he added.
Yari’s comments came shortly after his appointment as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
The Presidency announced the appointment on Saturday, with Yari, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, selected to lead the campaign structure for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, was appointed Secretary of the campaign council.
The appointments mark an early move by the APC to strengthen its political structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yari is an experienced politician and former governor of Zamfara State. His appointment is expected to bring his experience in party politics and electoral campaigns to the President’s re-election effort.
The 2027 election is expected to be highly competitive, with opposition parties already working to form alliances and position themselves for the contest.
The APC won the 2023 presidential election, with Tinubu defeating the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, among others. His administration began in May 2023 and has since introduced several major economic reforms.
Among the most significant decisions was the removal of the petrol subsidy, which the government said was necessary to reduce pressure on public finances and redirect funds to development.
The administration also changed the foreign exchange system and introduced various measures aimed at improving revenue collection, attracting investment and strengthening the economy.
However, the reforms have also faced strong criticism because of their effect on the cost of living. The removal of the petrol subsidy contributed to a sharp increase in transportation and food costs, while the depreciation of the naira has affected the prices of imported goods.
The government has responded with various interventions, including cash transfers, food distribution programmes, student loans, support for farmers and businesses, and other social investment measures.
Security is also expected to be a major issue in the 2027 election. Nigerians continue to demand stronger action against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity affecting several parts of the country.
The APC is likely to campaign on the administration’s achievements while opposition parties are expected to focus on the economic hardship, insecurity and other challenges confronting Nigerians.
Yari’s declaration that Tinubu would win in 2027 therefore signals the confidence of the ruling party as it begins preparations for the election.
The former governor also sought to assure Nigerians that the APC would not abandon the promises it made during the 2023 campaign.
His remarks suggest that the APC intends to make continuity a major part of its 2027 campaign, asking voters to give Tinubu another four years to complete programmes and reforms introduced during his first term.
The opposition, however, is expected to challenge the government’s record and present alternative policies to voters.
With the appointment of the campaign leadership already announced, the APC is gradually moving into election mode, even though the 2027 general elections are still months away.
For Yari and other party leaders, the task will be to convince Nigerians that Tinubu’s reforms are producing the desired results and that the administration deserves another term.