The Northern Youths Frontiers (NYF), has kicked against the appointment of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
North-West Zonal Coordinator of the group, Saminu Tukur, in a statement, described the decision as an avoidable strategic and reputational concern that warranted immediate reconsideration by the party leadership.
The group claimed that it has been mobilising youth support for the Tinubu/Kashim 2027 project across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It maintained that the composition of the campaign council must reflect the confidence, expectations and sensitivities of the electorate whose support the campaign sought.
“The inclusion of Senator Sheriff in such a prominent position could become an unnecessary weakness for the campaign at a time when the APC should be concentrating its political energy on communicating the administration’s record and securing broad-based public confidence.
“NYF acknowledges that Senator Sheriff has denied allegations and controversies that have surrounded aspects of his politics. The organisation equally recognises that allegations should not be treated as convictions and that questions of criminal responsibility are matters for competent legal institutions,” he said.
The group was of the opinion that campaign appointments carried political and reputational consequences.
It stressed that individuals occupying prominent positions become part of the public face of the campaign and were expected to command confidence, communicate the candidate’s message effectively and assist in building broad-based support.
“The central question, therefore, is whether Senator Sheriff’s appointment adds sufficient strategic value to the Tinubu/Kashim campaign to justify the controversy surrounding it,” it queried.
Adedayo Akinwale
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