The Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, the umbrella body of 685 All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen, has announced plans to organise a mega rally in Abuja to endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The forum’s chairman and Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr Mustafa Jibril Alheri, disclosed this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Alheri said the forum would also embark on a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign to rally support for Tinubu’s re-election, describing local government chairmen as the political leaders closest to the people.

He attributed growing support for the President to his administration’s policies across various sectors, particularly efforts to strengthen local government autonomy.

Alheri also appealed to the APC leadership to foster closer collaboration between the forum and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, to enhance grassroots coordination ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We are the closest tier of government to the people. We understand the grassroots and possess first-hand intelligence about our communities. The success of the APC will be anchored on effective grassroots mobilisation, and that is why we have come to declare our support for President Tinubu and his administration,” he said.

According to him, the forum currently comprises more than 685 APC local government chairmen, while the party controls 31 states.

“So far, we have over 685 local government chairmen under the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum. We have 31 state governors. It tells you that the party is doing well and standing strong. Nobody is being coerced. People are seeing what the government is doing, and that is why they are joining,” Alheri added.

He expressed confidence that the APC would secure more than 70 per cent of the votes cast in the 2027 elections, saying the party was already intensifying grassroots mobilisation rather than taking victory for granted.

“We are connected to the grassroots. We need to translate the policies of the President down to the grassroots, and that’s what we are doing in collaboration with the leadership of the APC,” he said.

Responding, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda described local government chairmen as the party’s greatest political assets and key to future electoral success.

“You are nearer to the people than anyone else. You understand your communities and know what the people need. You are the strongest pillars we have to win elections,” he said.

Yilwatda assured the forum that the party would work closely with it through the office of the National Secretary and facilitate stronger collaboration with the Progressive Governors’ Forum ahead of the 2027 polls.