• Group hails Wike’s development strides in Abuja
• Jiba: Tinubu is a sure connect for 2027
The Yari 774 Initiative for Asiwaju has inaugurated former Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman, Hon. Micah Y. Jiba, as its Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator, with a mandate to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
National Chairman and Convener of the initiative, Chief Dr. Ibrahim Emokpaire, who performed the inauguration at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, described Jiba as a tested grassroots politician with the experience and political network to drive the group’s activities across the FCT.
Emokpaire said the inauguration was aimed at providing clarity and accountability in the organisation’s leadership structure and preventing unauthorised persons from claiming to represent the initiative in the territory.
“Today is very significant in the history of the FCT because we are here not only to boost its political atmosphere, but also to formally present the leadership of the Yari 774 Initiative for Asiwaju in the Federal Capital Territory under the capable hands of Hon. Micah Y. Jiba,” he said.
He stressed that the initiative remained open to genuine supporters of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying its objective was to unite supporters while ensuring effective coordination and discipline.
“Our ideology is the more the merrier. However, the public deserves to know who the real coordinator representing the activities of Yari 774 Initiative for Asiwaju in the FCT is as presented here,” Emokpaire added.
The national chairman said the initiative would build a disciplined grassroots structure across the FCT, focusing on peace, development, unity, responsible leadership and democratic participation.
He disclosed that plans were also underway to inaugurate the initiative’s leadership structures in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Emokpaire commended President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, while acknowledging the ongoing development projects being executed across the territory under the minister’s leadership.
He also congratulated Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar on his appointment as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign, pledging the initiative’s support for the assignment.
According to him, Yari’s political experience would be critical to the success of the national assignment.
Also speaking, FCT APC Chairman, Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, commended the initiative for choosing Jiba as its coordinator, describing him as a grassroots politician with wide acceptance among political stakeholders in the territory.
Yamawo said the large turnout at the inauguration demonstrated Jiba’s political influence and acceptance, adding that the initiative would have coordinators across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
He assured the group of the APC’s support and collaboration.
“We are going to support this initiative, not only by supporting them, but by working together as a group,” he said.
Yamawo expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen the APC and contribute to the party’s success in the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, Jiba congratulated Senator Yari on his appointment and described it as strategic to the mobilisation of support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Jiba, a former National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), said his experience at the local government level had given him a deep understanding of the importance of the country’s 774 local government areas to political mobilisation and national development.
“As someone who served as National President of ALGON and as Executive Chairman of AMAC, I understand the importance of the 774 local governments in Nigeria’s political and development structure,” he said.
He said he would deploy the relationships he had built with local government leaders across the country to strengthen grassroots mobilisation for the initiative.
Jiba pledged to build an effective structure across the FCT through engagement with political leaders, youths, women, local government stakeholders and other supporters.
He expressed confidence that the initiative, under Yari’s leadership, would connect communities across the country and mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
“For me, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a sure connect for 2027,” Jiba declared.
He cited investments in road infrastructure by the Tinubu administration, saying improved road networks would connect communities, boost businesses, facilitate movement and contribute to national security.
Accepting his appointment, Jiba said the initiative’s message was to “connect the grassroots, mobilise the people and deliver victory.”
He called on political leaders, youths, women and other supporters to join the initiative and work towards the success of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
