Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has offered to relocate to Kano State for two weeks to campaign for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Bello made the offer while speaking at an empowerment programme organised by the Leke Abejide Foundation in Kano, where he urged Yoruba residents and other non-indigenous communities to strengthen their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said the communities needed to increase their electoral contribution in 2027, arguing that the nearly 500,000 votes reportedly mobilised for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election should not be their best performance.
Former governor sets two-million-vote target
Bello expressed confidence that the political structure of the programme’s organiser, Leke Abejide, could help deliver at least two million votes for Tinubu in the next election.
He also called on the communities to support APC candidates across all elective positions, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assemblies.
Appealing to Northerners to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, Bello argued that the president should be allowed to complete his constitutionally permitted eight years in office.
He further defended the administration’s performance, pointing to the ongoing Kano-Abuja Federal Highway project as an example of infrastructure development in the region.
According to him, he had arranged an inspection of the road two days before the event and was impressed by the improvement in its condition.
Abejide earmarks N500m for women
Meanwhile, Abejide announced a N500 million interest-free loan scheme for women operating in cooperative societies as part of his foundation’s empowerment initiative.
The lawmaker, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, explained that his long-standing connection with Kano informed his decision to organise the programme in the state.
Having lived and established his business in Kano for approximately 34 years, Abejide said he considered the initiative a way of appreciating the people and communities that supported his journey.
The beneficiaries include Yoruba women from eight states, alongside members of the Igala and Ebira communities from Kogi State.
He also disclosed that widows would receive food items, clothing and financial support, while separate empowerment programmes were being planned for young people and men.
Abejide said the foundation had put measures in place to monitor the loans and ensure repayment, allowing the funds to reach more beneficiaries.
Yusuf assures non-indigenes of representation
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in his remarks, promised that his administration would continue to protect non-indigenous residents and provide opportunities for them to participate in governance.
He disclosed that his government had appointed special advisers representing Yoruba, Igbo and northern minority communities, adding that similar consideration could be extended to the Igala and other groups.
The governor described the non-indigenous communities as valuable partners in Kano’s development and urged them to support Tinubu and APC candidates in 2027.
He also commended Abejide for extending his empowerment activities beyond his constituency, assuring the residents that they would continue to enjoy security, peace and equal opportunities in the state.
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