The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Rt. Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, popularly known as ABG, has appealed to residents of Southern Kaduna to support the party as it seeks to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Kaduna governorship election.
Bawa made the appeal on Friday in Kafanchan during a meeting with PDP leaders, supporters and stakeholders from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, also known as Zone 3.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the PDP governorship candidate and his running mate, Hon. Amos Adamu Gandu, to engage directly with party members and listen to concerns from communities across the zone as preparations for the 2027 election intensify.
The former federal lawmaker urged politicians seeking elective positions to avoid making promises they cannot fulfil, saying political leadership should be based on accountability, transparency and responsibility.
Bawa said elected officials must remain conscious of their obligations to the people who entrust them with political authority.
He also pledged that, if elected governor of Kaduna State, his administration would adopt a bottom-up approach to governance, with the needs and aspirations of local communities influencing government policies and development programmes.
According to him, his proposed administration would prioritise grassroots development and give ordinary citizens a stronger voice in determining government priorities.
Bawa further urged residents across Kaduna State to join what he described as an effort to “rescue Kaduna” from what he characterised as poor leadership under the APC administration.
He said the PDP would offer an alternative governance agenda focused on issues affecting residents and improving their welfare.
The candidate said government policies should reflect the realities faced by communities, particularly those at the grassroots, rather than being developed without sufficient consideration of local concerns.
He therefore called on Southern Kaduna residents to remain actively engaged in the political process and support the PDP candidates during the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the gathering, Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Chief Edward Percy Masha, said the meeting was organised to enable Bawa and his running mate to interact with party members and stakeholders from Southern Kaduna.
Masha said the engagement was also intended to help the candidates understand the concerns of residents and strengthen the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 Kaduna governorship election.
He urged PDP members to remain united, stressing the importance of cooperation among party leaders, candidates, former aspirants and supporters.
The PDP chairman also criticised the current administration over what he described as increasing hardship among residents and said the opposition party would continue to raise issues it considers shortcomings of the government.
Masha further alleged that the Kaduna State Government had not fulfilled a promise he said was made before the 2023 elections concerning the payment of entitlements to disengaged traditional leaders, district heads and teachers. The allegation was made at the PDP gathering and was not independently established in the report.
The PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Danjuma Akuso, described Bawa as a “fine gentleman” and expressed confidence in his candidacy.
He urged party supporters across Southern Kaduna to remain committed to the PDP and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The immediate past PDP chairman in Kaduna State, Hassan Hyat, also alleged that some residents had been excluded from government programmes and benefits. He contrasted the situation with previous PDP administrations and called on residents to support the party’s attempt to return to power.
Former Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Nuhu Bajoga, also criticised the current administration and urged PDP supporters to remain mobilised ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting was attended by PDP leaders, supporters and stakeholders from communities across Southern Kaduna as the party continues its political mobilisation and organisational activities ahead of the 2027 Kaduna State governorship election.
