As we prepare for the coming elections, there is a need for the APC in Niger State to rethink its mobilisation strategy and go beyond the continuous formation of support groups and political organisations.
Support groups are important and have their roles to play, but they should complement the official party structure, not replace it. The reality is that many of these groups are concentrated around city centres, while the real electorate are spread across the wards, communities and polling units.
It must also be careful about measuring political strength by the number of groups. In some cases, one individual may belong to five or even ten different support groups, giving the impression of a large support base when, in reality, the same people are simply appearing under different platforms.
Elections are not won by the number of organisations formed; they are won by genuine grassroots mobilisation and voters at the polling units.
Therefore, Niger APC must strengthen its structure from the polling unit to the ward, local government and state level. Every polling unit should have active and committed members who understand their communities, engage with voters and communicate the achievements and programmes of the party.
Our leaders and stakeholders must focus more on the ordinary voter, the farmer, trader, youth, woman, artisan, civil servant and community leader, because these are the people who ultimately determine electoral outcomes.
Let us therefore move beyond city-centre politics and the politics of multiple support groups. Let us return to the grassroots, reconcile our members, strengthen our party structures and build a coordinated mobilisation system that reaches every polling unit.
Support groups can mobilise crowds, but strong grassroots structures win elections.
By Comr. Amb. Suleiman Abdullahi, FCAI.
Former State APC Youth Leader,
Niger State
NIGER APC MUST GO BEYOND SUPPORT GROUPS
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BY Comr. Suleiman Abdullahi FCAI Published September 7, 2026
