By Umar Idris Shuaibu
The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has received a courtesy visit from members of Matasan Arewa for Tinubu (MAT) 2027 as part of the group’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation, led by the Director General of MAT 2027, Hon. Mahmud Babaliya Aftaka, reaffirmed the group’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended Ganduje for his leadership role in strengthening the APC across the country.
During the visit, the group described Ganduje as a strong pillar of the ruling party whose political experience and guidance continue to inspire Northern youths toward active participation in democratic processes.
MAT 2027 also announced the appointment of Ganduje as its Grand Patron in recognition of his contributions to party development and youth mobilisation.
Speaking during the meeting, Ganduje stressed the critical role of youths in sustaining democracy and shaping the political future of Northern Nigeria and the country at large.
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“The youth are the foundation of this very important organisation, especially considering the political situation in the country and particularly in the northern part of Nigeria today,” he said.
“There is no doubt that the youth are the alpha and omega of democracy, especially as we are approaching another election period.”
The former Kano State governor cautioned against divisive politics rooted in religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments, noting that such narratives do not support national growth and unity.
“The misconception many people have about politics in Nigeria is becoming a very dangerous trend. An association like this, made up of young men and women, is in a strong position to change the narrative,” he stated.
“When one section of the country keeps blaming another section, it does not contribute to national development.”
Ganduje further emphasised the need for Northern Nigeria to develop a clear socio-economic blueprint capable of addressing the region’s pressing developmental challenges.
“What is most important for Northern Nigeria today is to have a clear development agenda and blueprint. Instead of blaming others based on religion, ethnicity, tribe or geographical location, we should focus on development,” he added.
He identified youth unemployment as one of the major challenges confronting the region and advocated practical solutions through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and educational reforms.
According to him, education should go beyond certificate acquisition and focus more on practical and professional skills capable of making young people self-reliant and employable.
Ganduje also called for free and compulsory education at both primary and secondary school levels to ensure equal access to quality education for all children regardless of financial background.
In a related development, Ganduje also held a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside Hon. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya, who currently serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Engr. Abba Kabir Bichi, and former Minister as well as former Kano State Deputy Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, at his residence in Abuja as part of ongoing political consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.