The Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum (PLGCF) has pledged to lead a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum, which comprises about 685 elected local government chairmen from 31 All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled states, said the party’s success in the next general election would depend largely on the strength of its grassroots structures.
The commitment was announced during a courtesy visit by the forum’s executive council to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the forum’s Chairman and Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr Mustapha Mohammed Jibrin, described local government chairmen as the closest elected officials to the people.
‘We are the closest tier of government to the people. We understand the grassroots and possess first-hand intelligence about our communities,’ Jibrin said.
He added, ‘The success of the APC will be anchored on effective grassroots mobilisation, and that is why we have come to declare our total support for President Tinubu and his administration.’
Jibrin, a former Niger State Commissioner for Health, commended Tinubu for what he described as the administration’s commitment to strengthening local government administration and autonomy.
‘The President believes that when local governments are empowered, the dividends of democracy naturally reach ordinary Nigerians,’ he said. ‘We appreciate this commitment and have resolved to reciprocate it by mobilising massive support for his re-election.’
He also disclosed that the forum had constituted a National Working Committee to coordinate its mobilisation activities nationwide, adding that a formal endorsement rally would be held during its forthcoming national inauguration.
Jibrin also appealed to the APC national leadership to foster closer collaboration between the forum and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Echoing these sentiments, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the forum, Hon. Rawlings Dagidi, noted that local government councils are now better positioned to deliver infrastructure due to the administrative and financial reforms introduced under the current administration.
‘We are prepared to return to our various councils and mobilise not only council chairmen, but also councillors, supervisors, and the entire party structure at the ward level,’ Dagidi declared. ‘We are ready to support party activities and strengthen the APC across every community in Nigeria.’
In his response, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda praised the council chairmen, describing them as the party’s ‘greatest political assets’ and indispensable partners in securing electoral success.
‘You are nearer to the people than anyone else. You understand your communities and know what the people need,’ Yilwatda told the delegation. ‘You are the strongest pillars we have to win elections.’
Yilwatda charged all elected office-holders with taking direct ownership of political mobilisation ahead of the polls.
‘If you hold a political office, you cannot say you are not a politician,’ the National Chairman asserted. ‘If you are unwilling to mobilise people and win votes, then you should not accept political appointments.’
Commending the development projects delivered by several APC council leaders – including schools, primary health centres, roads, and water schemes – Yilwatda emphasised that vibrant local governance remains central to reducing multidimensional poverty nationwide.
He assured the delegation that the party’s national leadership, through the Office of the National Secretary, would facilitate strategic integration with the Progressive Governors’ Forum and formally brief President Tinubu on their initiative.
The visit concluded with the forum presenting branded campaign materials to the party leadership and officially naming the APC National Chairman the National Patron of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum.