Kaduna State PDP Governorship candidate, Hon. Usman Shehu Bawa (ABG)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Rt. Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, popularly known as ABG, has called on residents of the state to support the party’s efforts to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 governorship election.
Bawa made the call on Friday in Kafanchan while addressing PDP supporters and stakeholders from the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, also known as Zone 3.
The meeting brought together party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders from across the senatorial district, providing an opportunity for Bawa and his running mate, Hon. Amos Adamu Gandu, to interact directly with members of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Bawa urged political office seekers to avoid making promises they would be unable to fulfil if elected, stressing that political leadership must be anchored on accountability, transparency and responsibility.
The former federal lawmaker also pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would operate a bottom-to-top model of governance, with priority given to the needs and aspirations of communities at the grassroots.
He called on residents across Kaduna State to join what he described as the effort to “rescue Kaduna” from what he characterised as bad leadership under the APC administration.
The PDP candidate said his administration, if elected, would focus on ensuring that government policies and programmes reflected the needs of ordinary citizens, particularly those at the grassroots.
Speaking at the gathering, Kaduna State PDP Chairman, Chief Edward Percy Masha, said the meeting was organised to enable the governorship candidate and his running mate to interact with party members and stakeholders in Southern Kaduna and familiarise themselves with the concerns of the people.
Masha said the PDP was prepared to challenge the APC for political control of Kaduna State and urged party members to remain united as the 2027 elections approach. The party has similarly been emphasising unity among its candidates and former aspirants in recent meetings.
The PDP chairman also criticised the current administration over what he described as increasing hardship among citizens, saying the opposition party would continue to draw attention to issues it considers shortcomings of the government.
Masha further alleged that the Kaduna State Government had failed to fulfil a promise he said was made before the 2023 elections concerning the payment of entitlements to disengaged traditional leaders, district heads and teachers. The allegation was made at the party gathering and was not independently established in the account provided.
Earlier, the PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Yusuf Danjuma Akuso, described Bawa as a “fine gentleman” and expressed confidence in his candidacy, urging party supporters in the zone to remain committed to the PDP.
The immediate past PDP chairman in the state, Hassan Hyat, also alleged that some citizens had been sidelined in the distribution of government programmes and benefits, claiming that the situation was different during previous PDP administrations.
Hyat urged residents to support the PDP’s bid to return to power, saying the party would work towards addressing what he described as the challenges confronting citizens.
Also speaking, former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Nuhu Bajoga, criticised the current administration and described it as a “government of deceit”, urging PDP supporters to remain mobilised ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting was attended by PDP leaders, supporters and stakeholders from various communities across the Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, as the party intensifies its mobilisation and organisational activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
