ASNAT backs Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, hails Yari, Rikiji appointments

The Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) has pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, congratulating the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council and commending the appointments of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General and former Speaker Sanusi Rikiji as Director of Artisans’ Mobilisation.

ASNAT, the umbrella body for more than 12.5 million artisans, technicians and skilled workers nationwide, said the appointments reflected recognition of the role of artisans and technicians in the country’s political and economic development.

In a statement issued by its Head of New Media, Abdulkadir Salihu (IBN), the association congratulated the APC on the inauguration of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The statement said the ceremony was chaired by President Tinubu and attended by APC governors, members of the party’s National Working Committee, serving and former lawmakers, and other political stakeholders.

ASNAT described Yari, a former Zamfara State governor and senator, as an experienced political mobiliser and grassroots politician whose leadership, it said, would be instrumental to the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The association pledged its support for Yari and said its structures across the country’s 774 local government areas were prepared to participate in the party’s mobilisation efforts.

“Our structures in all 774 Local Government Areas are fully on ground as foot soldiers to deliver Operation 30:30 for the party,” the statement said.

ASNAT also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Yari for the appointment of its patron, Rikiji, as Director of the Directorate of Artisans’ Mobilisation in the campaign council.

According to the association, Rikiji’s appointment offered an opportunity to strengthen the representation of artisans and technicians within the APC’s campaign structure and ensure that their concerns received greater attention.

It said the appointment demonstrated recognition of the contribution of skilled workers to the economy and expressed hope that artisans and technicians would have greater opportunities and representation under a potential second Tinubu administration.

The association wished Tinubu, Yari and other members of the campaign council success in their assignment, while reaffirming its commitment to supporting the APC’s 2027 electoral campaign.