Deputy Speaker Kalu Announces Plan to Drive 150 Million Supporters for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has unveiled an expansive nationwide mobilisation drive aimed at building a robust political base in support of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. The initiative, operating under the Renewed Hope Partners platform, sets an ambitious target of recruiting at least 150 million supporters across Nigeria.
Nationwide Grassroots Mobilisation Strategy
During a meeting in Abuja with a delegation from Edo, Ekiti, and Katsina states, Kalu outlined a comprehensive strategy to embed the group in everyday spaces where citizens gather. He emphasised the need for expansion into campuses, markets, transport hubs, and worship centres to promote government programmes and strengthen democratic participation. Kalu described the platform as a vehicle for simplifying government policies, enabling ordinary citizens to understand their relevance and make informed political choices.
He stated, "This initiative speaks to the future of Nigeria. Whatever we do today is to make us a better nation in the years to come." Plans include establishing campus chapters in universities and extending presence to all local government areas nationwide.
Early Gains and State-Level Progress
State coordinators have reported significant early membership gains, with Edo State recording over 11,800 registered members within just two months of the group's launch. National Coordinator Mathias Ehizua highlighted the use of an online registration system to track growth, while representatives from Ekiti and Katsina pledged to intensify mobilisation efforts at polling units and wards.
Armstrong Adedigba, Edo State Coordinator, noted that civil society groups and clergy organisations are preparing to align with the initiative, underscoring its broad appeal. Kalu urged wider collaboration, describing members as change agents and nation builders committed to sustaining the drive.
Beyond Election Cycles: Advocacy and Policy Engagement
Kalu clarified that the mandate of Renewed Hope Partners extends beyond election campaigns. Members are expected to participate in voter registration, advocacy, and policy engagement, including lobbying lawmakers on key reform bills. These bills focus on issues such as reserved legislative seats for women, independent candidacy, local government autonomy, and state policing.
He added, "Our ambition is to raise 150 million supporters online; as ambitious as that sounds, we are getting some registrations going on as we speak, and the numbers are looking very interesting." This approach aims to create a lasting political movement that supports the administration's policy direction nationwide.
Background and Recent Developments
This mobilisation effort coincides with activities surrounding the national convention of the All Progressives Congress, where the group reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the administration's agenda. In a related development, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee recently dismissed a petition against Benjamin Kalu, exonerating him from allegations linked to his professional history, as reported earlier this month.
The initiative represents a significant step in political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with a focus on grassroots engagement and nationwide outreach to bolster support for President Tinubu's re-election bid.
