From Mustapha Saye,Kaduna
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates to intensify grassroots mobilisation and engage directly with voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makarfi said electoral victory would depend largely on candidates’ ability to build strong relationships with communities, understand the concerns of the people and earn their confidence through meaningful engagement.
He made the call on Thursday during the inauguration of the PDP State Campaign Council at the party’s campaign office in Kaduna, where he formally flagged off the party’s campaign activities.
The former governor stressed that political candidates must respect electoral laws and guidelines, noting that participation in a democratic process requires compliance with established rules.
According to him, political power ultimately belongs to the people, whose votes determine the outcome of elections.
“God gives power, but the people vote,” Makarfi said, urging candidates to prioritise direct engagement with the electorate rather than rely solely on party structures.
Also speaking, the PDP governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, popularly known as ABG, promised to adopt a bottom-up approach to governance if elected in February 2027.
Bawa explained that the party had commenced engagement with residents through radio and television programmes, as well as direct interactions, to understand their needs and communicate its policy direction.
He disclosed that the party had developed a draft manifesto which remained open to public contributions, assuring that concerns raised by residents would be considered in shaping its programmes.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Hon. Edward Masha, criticised the APC-led administration over what he described as persistent insecurity, unemployment, rising cost of living and declining standards in education and healthcare.
Masha expressed confidence that the PDP could secure victory in the 2027 governorship election, arguing that the concerns of residents had created an opportunity for political change.
He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its responsibilities fairly and impartially to guarantee credible elections.
The PDP chairman maintained that a strong opposition remained essential to democratic accountability, stressing that political engagement and constructive criticism should not be mistaken for hostility or violence.
