Politics
Borno APC Fires Up 2027 Campaign: The Mandate Is Clear—Deliver the Numbers!
Borno APC Fires Up 2027 Campaign: The Mandate Is Clear—Deliver the Numbers!
By: Dr James Bwala
The 2027 election presents Borno State with an important responsibility and a historic opportunity. It is a moment for the people, leaders, and supporters of the governing political movement to return to the grassroots, rebuild trust, strengthen unity, and deliver decisive electoral support for all the party’s candidates. From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Engineer Mustapha Gubio, and candidates contesting the least office, Borno must once again demonstrate that its political strength is rooted in the people.
This responsibility was clearly expressed at the launch of the Borno State Campaign Council. Speakers, including former governor of Borno State Senator Maaji Lawan, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Senator Monguno, Honourable Betsra Aliyu, Ali Bukar Dalori, Senator Monguno, Deputy governor, Kadafur and other party leaders, spoke with one voice to more than 300 members of the council. Their message was clear and persuasive: the campaign must reconnect with the grassroots, repair relationships, address existing wounds, and educate the public on the significance of the 2027 elections.
The formation of the campaign council is therefore more than a ceremonial political event. It serves as a call to action for service. It is an organized effort to reconnect the party with communities, families, traditional institutions, religious leaders, women, young people, professionals, farmers, traders, and all other groups that make up Borno State. The council has been established to deliver on a mandate, and that mandate can only be achieved through sincerity, discipline, consultation, and hard work.
Borno’s political importance cannot be separated from its history. For years, the state has faced severe challenges, including insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, and the disruption of public services. Yet the people of Borno have shown remarkable courage and resilience. They have continued to work, rebuild their communities, and participate in democratic processes despite difficult circumstances. Their endurance deserves leadership that listens to them, respects their sacrifices, and communicates with them honestly.
That is why the 2027 campaign must not be built solely around rallies, posters, and public declarations. Those activities have their place, but they cannot replace genuine engagement. The campaign must be taken to every ward, polling unit, village, settlement, and community. It must be driven by conversations, visits, meetings, and practical explanations of what is at stake. The people should not merely be asked to vote; they should be informed about the candidates, the programs of government, and the reasons their participation matters.
The call to return to the grassroots is particularly important because political success is ultimately determined by voters at the grassroots. The people who queue at polling units are not abstract numbers. They are citizens with real concerns, expectations, and experiences. They want security, roads, schools, healthcare, jobs, agricultural support, water, electricity, and opportunities for their children. They want representatives who will speak for them and leaders who will remain accessible after elections. A successful campaign must therefore be built on respect for the people and an understanding of their daily realities.
Mending fences is another essential part of the task before the campaign council. No political organization can achieve its full potential when disagreements, grievances, and misunderstandings are allowed to grow. Politics naturally produces differences of opinion, but disagreements should not become permanent divisions. Leaders and supporters must be willing to forgive, reconcile, and work together in the larger interest of Borno State.
The council should create opportunities for consultation among party leaders, elected officials, former officeholders, aspirants, youth organizations, women’s groups, and community representatives. Those who feel ignored should be heard. Those who have concerns should be engaged respectfully. Those who have withdrawn should be invited back. Unity does not mean that every individual will agree on every issue. It means that members are prepared to place the collective interest above personal disappointment.
The responsibility for reconciliation belongs to everyone, but it is especially important for political leaders. Senior leaders must demonstrate maturity, restraint, and fairness. They must avoid statements that deepen divisions or create unnecessary suspicion. They must encourage supporters to disagree without insult and to compete without destroying relationships. The people are watching, and they will respond positively to a campaign that reflects unity, dignity, and confidence.
Healing wounds is closely connected to mending fences. In every political organization, there may be people who feel disappointed, marginalized, or hurt by past events. Some may believe that their efforts were not recognized. Others may have lost confidence because of broken promises or internal conflicts. These concerns cannot simply be dismissed. They must be acknowledged and addressed through engagement.
Healing does not mean pretending that problems never existed. It means confronting them honestly and choosing the path of reconciliation. It means making room for people who may have stood on different sides of past disagreements. It means understanding that political movements become stronger when they welcome contributions from different perspectives. A campaign that wants to win broad support must first demonstrate that it is capable of treating its own members with fairness and respect.
The campaign council also has an important duty to explain the significance of the 2027 election. Voters must understand that the election will determine the direction of government at the federal, state, and local levels. It will influence the continuation of programs, the implementation of development plans, and the representation of Borno’s interests. It is therefore necessary to present a clear and convincing message about the record, priorities, and future plans of the candidates.
Support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima must be communicated through a message that connects with the people. The campaign should explain the administration’s policies, acknowledge the difficulties citizens face, and present a realistic account of the reforms being implemented. Political communication must not rely only on slogans. It should be based on facts, clarity, and empathy. Where challenges remain, the campaign should not deny them. Instead, it should explain how the administration intends to address them and why continuity and stability are important.
The same approach should apply to Engineer Gubio and all other candidates seeking elective office. Every candidate must be presented as a representative who understands the needs of the people and is prepared to serve with integrity. The campaign should not focus exclusively on personalities. It should also communicate the vision, competence, and responsibilities attached to each office. Voters deserve to know what candidates stand for and what they intend to accomplish.
The campaign council must also pay special attention to young people. Borno’s youth are energetic, intelligent, and politically influential. They are active on social media, in community organizations, and in local mobilization efforts. However, they also face serious challenges, including unemployment, limited access to education and skills, economic uncertainty, and the consequences of insecurity. A serious campaign must listen to their concerns and include them not merely as crowd organizers but as partners in political leadership.
Women must likewise be central to the campaign strategy. Women play a major role in families, communities, markets, education, and social development. Their networks and influence reach deeply into the grassroots. Campaign activities should provide women with opportunities to participate meaningfully in decision-making, mobilization, and communication. Their concerns should be reflected in the party’s programs, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, economic empowerment, and protection for vulnerable families.
Traditional and religious leaders also have a valuable role to play. Their influence can help promote peaceful participation, responsible communication, and social cohesion. The campaign council should engage them respectfully and avoid turning political competition into conflict within communities. Elections should be conducted as democratic contests, not as reasons for division or violence. Every leader and supporter has a duty to promote peace before, during, and after the election.
Effective grassroots mobilization will require organization. The 300-plus members of the Borno State Campaign Council must understand their assignments and work according to a coordinated plan. Each local government area, ward, and polling unit should have clear structures, responsible officers, and measurable objectives. The council should maintain accurate records, monitor engagement, and identify areas where additional attention is required.
Communication must be consistent. Mixed messages can create confusion and weaken public confidence. Campaign officials should receive accurate information and communicate in language that people understand. In many communities, this will require the use of local languages and culturally appropriate forms of engagement. The campaign should also take advantage of modern communication platforms while remembering that personal contact remains extremely important.
Above all, the council must conduct its work with humility. Electoral victory should never be treated as an entitlement. It must be earned through service, persuasion, and trust. The people of Borno have the right to ask questions and demand accountability. They should not be insulted or taken for granted because of their previous support. Their votes are an expression of confidence, and that confidence must be respected.
The words spoken at the launch of the campaign council have therefore established a clear direction. Go back to the grassroots. Mend fences. Heal wounds. Explain the issues. Unite the people. Mobilize peacefully. Deliver the numbers. These are not empty political phrases. They are practical instructions for winning an election and strengthening the relationship between leaders and citizens.
Borno has the capacity to deliver a strong mandate for President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, Engineer Gubio, and all candidates of the party. But that outcome will depend on the seriousness with which the campaign council performs its responsibility. Victory will not come from expectation alone. It will come from the combined efforts of leaders, organizers, volunteers, and supporters who are prepared to work patiently in every community.
The 2027 Borno Campaign Council has been created to deliver on this mandate. Its success will be measured not only by the size of rallies or the number of public endorsements but also by the strength of its grassroots network, the quality of its engagement, and the confidence it inspires among voters. If the council remains united, disciplined, and focused, it can transform political support into actual votes.
Borno must once again speak with one voice—not a voice imposed. The state is strategic, and the 2027 election is important because we have our son as the vice president.
- James Bwala, PhD, writes from Maiduguri.
Borno APC Fires Up 2027 Campaign: The Mandate Is Clear—Deliver the Numbers!