APC's 2027 Master Plan: Grassroots Key to Crushing Victory, Say Stakeholders

The Concerned National All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum has identified grassroots engagement and mobilisation as the singular path to securing victory for the party in the 2027 general election. This crucial strategy was articulated by Dr. Dominic Alancha, Convener and National Coordinator of the forum, during the inauguration of state coordinators and Tinubu/Shettima Grassroots Canvassers in Abuja. Dr. Alancha emphasized that for the party leadership to ensure success in 2027, political activities must extend beyond Abuja and state capitals, reaching into every ward, community, and polling unit across the nation.

The forum's mission is clear: to construct a formidable grassroots network capable of delivering wins at the polling units, wards, local government areas, and states, thereby guaranteeing the APC's victory in the 2027 presidential election. Dr. Alancha underscored the fundamental political reality that elections are ultimately won at the grassroots level. He explained that the true determinants of election outcomes are not merely those who speak at rallies or appear on television, but rather the everyday men and women in communities—market women, farmers, artisans, youth, professionals, civil servants, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and ordinary citizens who cast their votes.

Addressing the newly inaugurated State Coordinators and Grassroots Canvassers, Dr. Alancha described them as more than just coordinators; they are ambassadors of the movement, grassroots communicators, vote mobilisers, listeners to the people, and frontline defenders of the party's democratic mandate. Their responsibility includes respectfully and honestly engaging Nigerians on various issues, explaining the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, communicating ongoing reforms, acknowledging the challenges faced by the populace, and, most importantly, demonstrating the critical importance of continuity, stability, and progressive governance for Nigeria's future.

Further reinforcing this grassroots-centric approach, Dr. Amos Gizo, Chairman of the occasion and Board Chairman of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, insisted that any truly effective support group must be ward-based, not just concentrated in Abuja or state/local government capitals. He stressed that focusing on the grassroots means reaching the real voter, who is found at the unit level. Therefore, leaders at national, state, local government, and ward levels should concentrate their efforts on unit leaders.

Dr. Gizo also highlighted how President Bola Tinubu has successfully allayed the fears surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket among northern Christians during the lead-up to the 2023 general election. He pointed out that despite initial concerns, the arrangement has not negatively impacted northern Christians, who have, in fact, experienced better representation than ever before. Gizo cited key appointments such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation from the North Central Zone, the National Chairman of the APC from the North Central Zone, and the Minister of Defence, attributing these