Women critical to APC’s 2027 victory, says Yari

Women will play a decisive role in the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) bid to retain power in the 2027 general elections, Director General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, has said.

Yari made the assertion in Abuja on Wednesday at the Women Stakeholders’ Mobilisation and Empowerment Pre-Inaugural Summit organised by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. He urged APC women leaders across the country to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure the party’s campaign reaches communities, wards and polling units ahead of the elections.

The summit attracted APC women leaders and stakeholders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Among those in attendance were wives of political office holders, members of the National Assembly, ministers, women support groups and other party stakeholders.

Yari assured the women that the Presidential Campaign Council would work closely with them to strengthen their mobilisation efforts and establish an effective campaign network.

He called for unity among the women, stressing that their participation in the summit showed their commitment to playing an active role in the 2027 electoral process.

The APC is developing its women mobilisation structure across states, local government areas, wards, communities and polling units as part of efforts to deepen its grassroots support ahead of the elections.

Addressing the gathering, the First Lady thanked Nigerian women for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged them to return to their various states to mobilise support for the APC.

She said the President valued the contribution of women and appreciated their support for his administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu also urged the women to educate Nigerians at the grassroots about the policies and programmes of the administration, particularly those targeted at improving economic opportunities and supporting families.

According to her, the theme of the summit, “Renewed Hope Agenda 2.0: From Reforms to Prosperity,” reflected the administration’s efforts to transform the economy through its ongoing reforms.

She listed falling inflation, rising foreign reserves, increased investment interest, support for farmers and access to student loans among developments she attributed to the administration.

The First Lady described Tinubu as a leader willing to take difficult decisions and expressed confidence that the reforms would lead the country towards greater prosperity.

The APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Alile Idele, charged party women to strengthen their grassroots structures and ensure that government empowerment programmes reached women and families across the country.

Idele said women’s responsibilities went beyond securing electoral support for the party, adding that they should also help connect women with economic opportunities and government interventions.

She described the summit as an avenue to strengthen the APC women’s network and promote coordinated mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Director of Women Mobilisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Betta Edu, said the party had commenced its women mobilisation drive across the country.

Edu disclosed that the campaign was targeting 40 million votes from women for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

She said mobilisation structures were being established across the 36 states, the FCT, 774 local government areas, wards, communities and polling units.

“We are moving into the 2027 electoral season with purpose, structure, and determination. Our target is 40 million women’s votes, and we are building the organisation required to achieve it,” Edu said.

She added that the mobilisation programme would focus not only on rallies but also on enterprise development, agriculture, skills acquisition, governance and community development.

Women beneficiaries at the event also received livelihood support items, including tricycles, sewing machines, refrigerators and agricultural equipment.

The summit is part of the APC’s wider preparations to consolidate its women’s mobilisation network ahead of the 2027 general elections under the message, “One Voice, One Movement, One Choice, One Mandate 2027.”