Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has inaugurated the campaign office of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) in Abuja, urging supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to defend the administration’s policies with verifiable facts, honesty and evidence.
Shettima made the call on Saturday during the inauguration of the group’s office and the unveiling of its mobilisation strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The event was held in Garki, Area 8, Abuja.
The Vice-President said political support from Northern Nigeria should not be treated as a licence for the government to operate without accountability, stressing the need for leaders and their supporters to explain government policies and demonstrate their outcomes to Nigerians.
He cautioned campaigners against dismissing public complaints or relying solely on political slogans to defend the administration, urging them to listen to the concerns of traders affected by rising prices, young people seeking employment and families struggling with the cost of living.
Shettima also emphasised the importance of constructive criticism, saying democracy could not thrive if the government refused to listen to opposing views.
He called on A4A to serve as a channel through which citizens could communicate their concerns to government officials and other relevant stakeholders, rather than functioning exclusively as a political campaign organisation.
According to him, security, job creation, poverty reduction, improved education and stronger public institutions should remain priorities.
Earlier, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, said the launch of A4A’s mobilisation strategy came at a time when effective communication was needed to explain the Tinubu administration’s policies and activities to people across Northern Nigeria.
Barau identified inadequate communication channels as a major challenge and said the organisation would help communicate government programmes while countering misinformation through credible information.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, called on Northerners to support the re-election of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in 2027.
He attributed the support for the administration to Shettima’s inclusive leadership approach, development initiatives and appointments of Northerners to government positions.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, urged the North to assess the 2027 election based on evidence and careful consideration rather than emotions.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of Northern governors, also expressed support for the re-election of Tinubu and Shettima, citing the administration’s performance.
The Director-General of A4A and former Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Mohammed Badaru, said the organisation was established on the belief that Tinubu and Shettima deserved another term in office.
Badaru said A4A would expand its activities across Northern Nigeria to communicate the administration’s development agenda and sustain public engagement ahead of the 2027 election.
The event was attended by federal lawmakers, ministers, presidential aides, heads of government agencies, former governors and other political leaders from Northern Nigeria.4. Five Alternative Professional Headlines
1. Shettima Urges Tinubu Supporters to Use Verifiable Facts in Defending Government Policies
2. 2027: Shettima Inaugurates A4A Campaign Office in Abuja
3. Shettima Tells A4A to Listen to Public Concerns, Promote Accountability
4. Tinubu’s Re-election: Northern Political Leaders Declare Support at A4A Launch
5. Shettima Warns Against Dismissing Public Complaints as A4A Unveils 2027 Strategy
5. News Category
Primary Category: Politics
Editorial note: The report presents the event as a political mobilisation effort ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Claims about government performance and Northern support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket are attributed to the speakers rather than presented as independently verified facts.
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