Yari’s experience, grassroots reach’ll boost Tinubu’s reelection bid –Atoyebi

Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Bamidele Atoyebi, has described the appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council as strategic, saying his political experience and grassroots network would strengthen the President’s reelection bid.

Atoyebi, in a statement, said his assessment of Yari’s political career and grassroots activities since September 2025 convinced him that the former Zamfara State governor possessed the organisational capacity required to coordinate a nationwide presidential campaign.

President Tinubu had on August 22 unveiled the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, with Yari as Director-General, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Secretary and the President as Chairman.

Atoyebi said although Yari’s appointment had generated mixed reactions, his political experience, grassroots reach and ability to build relationships across political structures made the choice understandable.

Yari served in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011 and was governor of Zamfara State from 2011 to 2019. He also served as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum between 2015 and 2019 and currently represents Zamfara West in the Senate.

Atoyebi said his interest in Yari’s political network grew in September 2025 when he learnt that the senator was engaging support groups ahead of the 2027 general election.

He recalled being invited to address former local government chairmen at a gathering in Abuja, which he later learnt was sponsored by Yari.

Although Yari had left before his arrival, Atoyebi said the encounter gave him an insight into the senator’s grassroots political organisation.

“For me, that experience offered an important lesson: serious political mobilisation is built long before election day.

“The scale of grassroots organisation attributed to Yari showed me that he has invested considerable attention in building relationships across political structures,” he said.

Atoyebi said Yari’s political experience, organisational reach and exposure to the private sector further strengthened the case for his appointment.

He consequently disagreed with criticisms of the choice, arguing that opposition parties should concentrate on building their own campaign structures rather than attempting to dictate who should manage the APC’s presidential campaign.

“I believe Yari has the capacity to mobilise across the North-West, North-East and North-Central, while contributing to a broader national campaign,” he said.

Atoyebi also pointed to the inclusion of other experienced politicians in the campaign structure as an indication that the APC was assembling a team with extensive knowledge of electoral politics and grassroots mobilisation.

He said Tinubu’s reelection campaign would require politicians with a strong understanding of organisation, coalition-building and grassroots engagement.

“As Convener of BAT-IG, I believe President Tinubu’s reelection campaign requires people who understand grassroots politics, organisation and coalition-building. From what I have observed and studied about Yari since September last year, I believe he can deliver,” Atoyebi said.

He, however, stressed that the ultimate verdict on the Tinubu administration would depend on its performance, saying tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians would provide the strongest argument for the President’s reelection.

Atoyebi expressed confidence that the APC could retain the presidency in 2027 and sustain the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.

“I believe we can win 2027, continue the Renewed Hope agenda and build a foundation strong enough for Nigerians to demand continuity beyond 2027,” he said.

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