- commissions campaign secretariat
By Banji Ayoola
As preparations for the 2027 elections hot up, the National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), South-West, Prince Diran Iyantan, has called for an intensive house-to-house and door-to-door campaign strategy to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid.
Stressing that winning Nigerians’ confidence requires more than large rallies and elaborate campaign events, he asked party leaders and campaign organisations to take their messages directly to the people through community engagements, town hall meetings, small-group gatherings and door-to-door interactions.
Iyantan made the call during the commissioning of a campaign secretariat established in support of President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The facility was donated by the Director-General of the Youth Network West Africa, Hon. Olatunde Gideon Igbasan, and his team, who have pledged their commitment to the President’s re-election campaign.
According to Iyantan, the grassroots campaign approach is necessary to explain the policies and economic reforms of the Tinubu administration in languages that ordinary Nigerians understand, particularly their mother tongues.
He emphasised that campaigners must communicate effectively with citizens in Yoruba and other local languages, explaining the rationale behind the administration’s policies, the progress recorded so far and the importance of sustaining ongoing reforms for the long-term benefit of the country.
The APC National Vice Chairman also observed that the global economic environment, including the turbulence arising from the conflict in the Middle East involving the United States and Iraq, as stated in his remarks, and the resulting surge in international oil prices, has created additional economic challenges for countries, including Nigeria.
He maintained that such developments underscore the importance of engaging citizens directly, providing context for economic realities and explaining the administration’s efforts to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Iyantan argued that the coming election presents an opportunity for the APC to deepen its engagement with the electorate, correct misconceptions, address legitimate concerns and demonstrate why continuity in leadership is important to sustaining the country’s economic recovery and development trajectory.
While expressing admiration for the newly commissioned campaign secretariat, Iyantan described the building as serene, impressive and conducive to strategic thinking, planning and coordination.
He noted that a well-equipped and comfortable facility would provide the campaign team with the appropriate environment to develop ideas, coordinate activities and formulate effective strategies for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
However, he cautioned that the value of the facility would ultimately depend on how effectively it is used to mobilise support beyond its walls.
“It is a good thing to have a beautiful and conducive building where the campaign team can meet, think deeply and develop strategies. But it is even more important to take those strategies to the field and meet the people themselves.
“We must go house to house and door to door. We must organise town hall meetings, hold small gatherings in our communities and speak to the people in languages they understand. We cannot depend solely on major rallies to communicate our message. We must go where the people are and listen to them as much as we explain our programmes and achievements,” Iyantan said.
The APC chieftain commended Hon. Olatunde Gideon Igbasan for the donation of the campaign secretariat, describing the gesture as a significant contribution to the collective effort to secure President Tinubu’s second term.
He expressed appreciation to Igbasan and the entire Youth Network West Africa team for demonstrating commitment to the campaign through practical support and organisational initiative.
On behalf of the national leadership of the APC, Iyantan thanked the donor and his team, urging other party stakeholders, supporters and political organisations to contribute meaningfully to the campaign through mobilisation, constructive engagement and active participation at the grassroots.
He subsequently dedicated the facility to Almighty God, praying that it would serve as a productive centre for strategic planning, effective coordination and the successful execution of activities in support of President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Iyantan stressed that the strength of the APC’s campaign would depend not only on its organisational structures and resources but also on its ability to establish direct, credible and sustained connections with Nigerians across communities.
He urged party members and supporters to begin preparations for an extensive grassroots mobilisation drive, stressing that every household, community and eligible voter represents an important opportunity for engagement as the party works towards its electoral objective.
