By Jamila Muhammad

Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, a co-convener of the Nigeria Forward Project, has urged ministers, presidential aides and heads of federal government agencies from Northern Nigeria to intensify grassroots mobilisation and communicate President Bola Tinubu’s achievements to citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Waiya said the appointees should move beyond Abuja and engage directly with people in their communities, explaining how the administration’s policies and reforms are improving lives and why the government deserves another term.

He made the call in a statement sent to journalists on Friday, stressing that those appointed by the president had a responsibility to bridge the gap between the government and ordinary Nigerians by providing credible information about its performance.

“There are moments in the life of a nation when those entrusted with public responsibility must rise, speak with conviction and give citizens reasons to believe that tomorrow can be better than today,” he said.

Waiya noted that some heads of federal government agencies had already begun mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election, describing themselves as “foot soldiers of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.

He also cited a recent grassroots mobilisation campaign reportedly led by Senator George Akume, which brought together political leaders from the North-Central region to rally support for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Nigeria Forward Project co-convener argued that promoting the administration’s achievements should not be reduced to routine political campaigning but should provide an opportunity to explain the practical impact of government policies on citizens.

He said Northern appointees should be better positioned to communicate the administration’s reforms, present verifiable results and demonstrate how its policies were creating opportunities, strengthening institutions, improving infrastructure and repositioning the Nigerian economy.

According to him, the engagement must extend to markets, farms, businesses, universities and rural communities, where citizens can assess government policies against their daily experiences.

Waiya stressed that the concerns and expectations of Nigerians must remain central to the campaign for another term, noting that voters would ultimately decide based on their experiences and understanding of the administration’s performance.

“The 2027 elections will ultimately belong to Nigerians. They will judge the administration by what they have seen, experienced and understood,” he said.

He urged the appointees not only to advocate continuity but also to explain why it matters, defend the government’s record with evidence and clearly communicate its plans for the country.

Waiya said the period ahead of the elections offered an opportunity for the administration’s representatives to strengthen public confidence through sustained engagement and transparent communication.

“This is the time to take the Renewed Hope message, its achievements and vision to the people and convince Nigerians that the journey deserves another mandate,” he said.

He added that the administration needed to make its message tangible to citizens rather than allowing it to remain a political slogan.

“Renewed Hope must not remain a government slogan. It must become a story Nigerians can see and feel,” Waiya said.