The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Rt. Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, popularly known as ABG, has called on residents of the state, particularly those in Southern Kaduna, to support the party’s bid to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 governorship election.
Bawa made the call on Friday in Kafanchan while addressing PDP leaders, supporters and stakeholders from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, also known as Zone 3. The meeting gave the governorship candidate and his running mate, Hon. Amos Adamu Gandu, an opportunity to interact directly with party members and hear their concerns ahead of the election.
The former federal lawmaker urged politicians seeking elective office to avoid making promises they cannot fulfil, stressing that political leadership should be anchored in accountability, transparency and responsibility. He said elected officials must remain mindful of their obligations to the people who entrusted them with power.
Bawa pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would adopt a bottom-up approach to governance, with the needs and aspirations of communities forming the basis of government policies and programmes. He said his administration would prioritise grassroots development and ensure that ordinary citizens had a stronger voice in determining government priorities.
The PDP candidate also called on residents across the state to join what he described as the effort to ‘rescue Kaduna’ from what he characterised as bad leadership under the APC administration. He said the PDP would present an alternative governance agenda focused on addressing citizens’ concerns and improving their welfare.
According to him, his administration would ensure that government programmes were designed around the realities confronting communities, particularly those at the grassroots. He urged the people of Southern Kaduna to remain actively involved in the political process and to support the party’s candidates at the 2027 polls.
Speaking at the gathering, Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Chief Edward Percy Masha, said the meeting was organised to enable Bawa and his running mate to interact with party members and stakeholders across Southern Kaduna and to familiarise themselves with people’s concerns. Masha said the party was prepared to challenge the APC for political control of the state.
The PDP chairman urged members to remain united and committed as the 2027 elections approach, stressing the importance of cooperation among party leaders, candidates, former aspirants and supporters. He also criticised the current administration for what he described as increasing hardship among citizens, saying the opposition party would continue to raise issues it considered government shortcomings.
Masha further alleged that the Kaduna State Government had failed to fulfil a promise he said was made before the 2023 elections concerning the payment of entitlements to disengaged traditional leaders, district heads and teachers. The allegation was made at the party gathering and was not independently established.
Earlier, the PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Danjuma Akuso, described Bawa as a ‘fine gentleman’ and expressed confidence in his candidacy. He urged party supporters across the zone to remain committed to the PDP and work towards strengthening its structures ahead of the election.
The immediate past PDP chairman in the state, Hassan Hyat, also alleged that some citizens had been sidelined in the distribution of government programmes and benefits, claiming that the situation was different under previous PDP administrations. He urged residents to support the party’s bid to return to power, saying it would work towards addressing what he described as challenges confronting the people.
Former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Nuhu Bajoga, also criticised the current administration, describing it as a ‘government of deceit’, and urged PDP supporters to remain mobilised ahead of the 2027 elections. PDP leaders, supporters, and stakeholders from communities across Southern Kaduna attended the meeting as the party intensifies its mobilisation and organisational activities ahead of the general elections.