2027: Group urges opposition to embark on issue-based campaigns

An advocacy group for good governance and accountability, Transparency Watch, has urged opposition political parties and groups critical of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to focus their campaigns on issues.

The group advised that making Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), their target would be counter productive to them.

It cautioned that attempt to portray Yari as a scapegoat was capable of distracting the electorate from substantive issues ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Cliff Richards, Transparency Watch, also criticised what it described as the growing use of name-calling and unnecessary denigration in political campaigns.

“We at Transparency Watch have noted with concern attempts by opposition political parties as well as some groups and individuals at making Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, the Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, the subject of their campaigns.

“This is unhealthy as Senator Yari is not the issue. In fact, some opposition campaigners have been shooting from pillar to post instead of channelling their energies to the right quarters.

“Campaigns are about issues. They are not about individuals. Senator Yari should, therefore, not be made a scapegoat,” the statement said.

The group said Yari had a responsibility to promote the APC’s campaign and defend the party’s electoral prospects.