The All Progressives Congress in the North-West zone on Saturday endorsed President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abas, moved the motion for the endorsement of the President, while Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, seconded the motion, passing a vote of confidence in Tinubu for the second term in 2027.

The event tool place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Square, Kaduna on Saturday.

This was after the Kaduna State Governor and APC North-West Co-ordinating Governor, Senator Uba Sani, called upon Speaker Abas to step forward before the gathering to move a motion for the endorsement.

Abas said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to witness a history. My name is Abas Tajudeen, the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and I move on behalf of the entire APC family of the North-West Zone Stakeholders emphatically a motion of a vote of confidence in our dear President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his progressive governance, improving leadership and his unwavering support for the socio-economic development of the North-West geo-political.

“In so doing, unequivocally, endorse him as our only preferred candidate for the 2027 elections. I so do!”

The Speaker later put the motion to a voice vote for the stakeholders, where they all overwhelmingly affirmed the endorsement of the president for continuity in 2027.

In return, all the APC governors in the NorthWest Zone were offered automatic tickets for second term in the 2027 governorship elections as announced by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, in his address to the gathering.

According to Ganduje, there is “no vacancy” in Aso Rock, come 2027.

Thereafter, a communique on behalf of stakeholders from the zone was read by the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

The party leaders including Ganduje, three governors of Kaduna, Uba Sani, Jigawa, Namadi and Kebbi, Nasir and Speaker of the House of Representatives, ministers as well as party executives, overwhelmingly declared their supports for the president during the APC North-West Zone Stakeholders meeting.

Governors of Katsina and Sokoto states sent their representatives.

Among other party faithful at the gathering are Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.

Others are a former Speaker and governor of Katsina, Bello Aminu Masari, a former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial, Shehu Sani, a former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Yerima, former House of Representatives members from the zone, former governor of Zamfara, Mahmud Shinkafi, former governor of Kebbi, Senator Adamu Aliero.

The chairman of state chapters, state and federal legislators, as well as ministers, heads of federal agencies, including senior political appointees, were also at the meeting, themed: “Consolidating on our gains, facing the future together.”

The foundation for the endorsement of the President was laid when the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, while addressing the stakeholders, asked: “Aso Rock”? with the stakeholders responding by saying” no vacancy.”

With the response from the gathering, Barau said, “So it is clear in 2027, we are going to have a landslide victory, inshallah. So let us continue on the way we are going. Let us continue to cooperate, work with the president, work with everybody, cooperate amongst ourselves so that we have the desired victory.”

He said the defection of stalwarts of the opposition political parties to the party (APC) was as a result of the performance of Tinubu in addressing the challenges bedevilling the country.

“This is not happening for nothing. There are reasons for this. What are the reasons? Number one is the performance of our dear president. The president, of course, inherited a lot of challenges, bedevilling our country. But he has come up with programmes and policies to surmount these challenges.

“Security challenges, economic challenges, name them. We’ve seen how he has dealt with our problem, our security problem—the security we’ve been facing in the North West. Several areas were not accessible before now. You could not go to some areas before now. But now you can go to some places, you can travel from Abuja to Kaduna. This was quite impossible before he came to power.

“Similarly, before this administration, you could not go to Birnin Gwari, but life has returned to the area. The people have returned to their farmlands

“Several areas that were not accessible are now accessible. We know we are not where we want to be. We are not there yet. We are not finally there yet. But it’s a work in progress. Mr President is working hard, day in and day out, to surmount this country’s insecurity problem, particularly in the North West. It is a work in progress. It is easy to have problems, but it’s not easy to solve the problems.

“Of course, that is not alone. That is not the only reason why we are having these influxes to our party. The performance of our governors. Our governors are doing well, working day in, day out.”

Ganduje emphasised that Tinubu was committed to the development of the North-West, the entire region and by extension, Nigeria.

He said the commitment has been demonstrated through his several intervention projects ranging from infrastructure, agriculture and social development across the Northern region, emphasising that, establishment of the North West Development Commission was a clear indication that, the President loves the North West Region.

“We have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel”, Ganduje stated, saying, “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock Villa come 2027.”

Earlier, the Speaker who moved the motion for the endorsement of the President, said the defection of stalwarts of the opposition to the APC was an indication of the growing confidence of Nigerians in the party and Tinubu.

“To enhance our election efforts, it is crucial to strengthen grassroots mobilisation at the local level. Furthermore, as we look to the future, we must continue to integrate and involve more young people and women in the party, as they comprise a significant portion of the population. Their involvement is crucial for achieving future political success.

“At the National Assembly, we are committed to championing legislation aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, advancing bills on infrastructure financing and development, security reforms, and incentives for the digital economy. This support has been pivotal in passing landmark measures, exercising robust oversight over the executive and representing the interests of our people.

“With the 2027 general election approaching, we must intensify grassroots mobilisation, consolidate our legislative gains, and engage new constituencies, especially youth and women, through empowerment programs,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a communique read by Sani after the meeting, the zone reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and pledged ”full support for President Tinubu’s vision to deliver prosperity, equity, and lasting change for all Nigerians.

”We thank and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his purposeful leadership, bold reforms, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress, especially in the North West zone.

”Under President Tinubu, security in the North West has significantly improved, enabling farmers to return to their fields and communities to regain peace and stability.”

The communique added, ”Our zone enjoys unprecedented federal representation with 12 ministers, key national assembly positions, and top security appointments – a clear sign of inclusiveness and recognition.”

The stakeholders noted that ”major infrastructure projects are being completed or are underway across the North West, marking a new era of development in our region.”

The meeting pointed out that “APC continues to grow in strength, unity, and national appeal, due to Nigerians’ appreciation of the President and our APC governors.”