By Umar Ismaila, Sokoto
In a rare display of grassroots political mobilization, constituents from Yabo and Shagari Local Government Areas have raised N10 million to purchase nomination forms for House of Representative member, Umar Yusuf Yabo, urging him to seek a second term in 2027.
The fundraising ceremony, organized under the coordination of Malam Maliki, took place in Yabo town, the administrative headquarters of the Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency.
The event drew dozens of young people from both LGAs who said they wanted to see their representative return to the “Green Chambers” of the National Assembly.
According to Maliki, the funds will be used to buy the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the lawmaker.
He explained that the gesture was a direct response to what the youths described as quality representation since Yabo assumed office.
“The money realized will be used to purchase the ADC Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the lawmaker for his quality representation at the Green Chamber,” Maliki told the gathering.
The coordinator said the decision was informed not only by Umar’s visible contributions to the constituency, but also by his commitment to truth and his record of attracting federal projects to Yabo and Shagari.
Maliki went further to describe the lawmaker in personal terms, saying, “Umar is not just a lawmaker; he is a bridge builder and epitome of hope because of what he is doing.”
He added that the youths had gathered specifically to collect and donate for the required forms, emphasizing that their support was rooted in the belief that Umar is a “tested and trusted representative” of the constituency.
The group used the occasion to publicly endorse Umar for a second term, stating that they were satisfied with his performance and wanted continuity in representation.
Also speaking at the event was Bashir Gorau, the member representing Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency commended the youths for what he called a selfless gesture and said their action spoke to the impact Umar had made in his own constituency.
“The youths must have been impressed by Umar’s accomplishments in the federal constituency,” Gorau noted, addressing the crowd at the epoch-making event,” he added.
In his remarks, the former Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan, Ambassador Faruk Malami Yabo, appealed to the people of Shagari/Yabo Federal Constituency to support the lawmaker’s second-term bid to enable him to provide more meaningful development projects to the area.
Faruk Yabo commended former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for giving Umar Yusuf and Bashir Gorau the opportunity to serve as members representing the Goronyo/Gada and Shagari/Yabo federal constituencies, respectively.
He noted that both lawmakers had become exemplary leaders worthy of emulation in their respective constituencies.
Ambassador Yabo expressed optimism that, by all indications, the duo had justified the confidence reposed in them by former Governor Tambuwal.
Chairman of the ADC in Yabo Local Government Area, Alhaji Bala Musa Yabo, expressed appreciation to the people of Yabo for turning out in large numbers to attend the event.
He noted that the lawmaker had initiated meaningful projects that directly impact the lives of the people.
Bala Musa assured the lawmaker their continued support and mobilisation of support toward his victory come 2027.
Receiving the gesture, Umar Yusuf Yabo, thanked the youths for their benevolence, saying the act would spur him to do more for the people of the constituency.
He expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that it would go a long way in ensuring that the people continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He urged the young people to remain law-abiding and to mobilize en masse to vote for the African Democratic Congress at all levels in the 2027 elections.