Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Nigerian lawmaker Leke Joseph Abejide are seeking at least one million votes from Yoruba and other non-indigenous communities in Kano for President Bola Tinubu and allied candidates in the 2027 general elections, The Punch Nigeria reported on November 1.
The leaders outlined the target at an assistance programme on Saturday organised by Abejide, who represents Kogi State’s Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs its customs committee. Yusuf said support from non-indigenous communities would be central to efforts to secure victory for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress in Kano.
Abejide announced a 500 million naira interest-free loan scheme for women and widows living in Kano. It covers women from eight states with Yoruba-speaking communities, as well as members of the Ebira, Igala and Bassa communities from Kogi State.
He described the scheme as a revolving fund, with repayments financing loans for additional beneficiaries, and said monitoring arrangements would support accountability. Widows would receive direct financial assistance for small businesses, he said.
Abejide explicitly urged beneficiaries to support Tinubu, Yusuf and other APC candidates with their votes. He said the mobilisation effort would span Kano’s 44 local government areas and promised further assistance programmes if support continued. Yusuf praised the initiative and urged other lawmakers to help Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.