Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation over social media influence, in what many see as a veiled criticism of his predecessor, NasireEl-Rufa’i.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna following the party’s victory in Saturday’s by-election, Governor Sani urged party members not to be distracted by online noise, noting that true political success lies in connecting with the people on the ground.
“There is no ballot box on Twitter (X); there is no ballot box on Instagram or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not on social media,” the Governor said, drawing loud applause from APC members.
Governor Sani praised APC’s strategy in the just-concluded bye-election, crediting the victory to effective grassroots engagement, inclusive governance, and people-oriented policies. He contrasted this approach with what he described as the opposition’s reliance on online propaganda.
“Our opponents chose to fight the propaganda battle, but we chose to fight the political battle. They lost because the people know who is working for them. We will not waste our time on social media noise-making”, he stated.
Describing the victory as historic, Sani noted that the APC made inroads into communities that had not supported the party since the return to democracy in 1999. He attributed this success to his administration’s commitment to economic growth, rural development, and agricultural investment.
“Since 1999, some communities had never voted for our party. But today, they stood with us because they saw inclusivity in action. We made a pledge to defend everyone, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or party affiliation—and we kept it”, he stated.
Governor Sani highlighted key achievements under his leadership, including the reclamation of over 500,000 hectares of farmland previously abandoned due to insecurity. He said Kaduna State is now a national leader in the production of maize, tomatoes, and ginger.
He called on party executives to stay rooted in the APC manifesto and maintain close ties with constituents to secure future electoral success.
“Party first, politics second. Let us not forget our manifesto. Let us not abandon our wards and local governments. If we remain with the people, no party can defeat us”, Sani told stakeholders.
Also speaking at the meeting, the APC State Chairman, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (rtd.), praised Governor Sani’s inclusive leadership, and commended party members for delivering victory in the by-election. He expressed optimism that with continued unity and grassroots focus, the APC would consolidate its hold on power in 2027.
