BY ISRAEL BULUS, KADUNA
The Esu Chikun (Sa Gbagyi II), Ishaku Yari, has pledged the Gbagyi Chiefdom’s support for the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, citing former Senator Shehu Sani’s past interventions in the community.
Yari spoke on Wednesday when Sani visited his palace in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State to seek prayers and support for APC candidates, including President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.
The monarch recalled that Sani facilitated the construction of a hospital for the community during his tenure in the Senate and intervened in a dispute involving Gbagyi Villa.
“You are someone we will never forget. When you were a senator, you built a hospital for us. When we had issues at Gbagyi Villa, you stood by us, and the people have not forgotten,” he said.
Yari, however, lamented that insecurity had hindered the hospital from adequately serving residents and neighbouring communities.
He also praised Governor Uba Sani for engaging traditional rulers and executing projects in Chikun, promising grassroots mobilisation for the APC in 2027.
The monarch said he mobilised community leaders to monitor election results at polling units and wards, adding that grassroots support would be crucial to the party’s success.
He urged Sani to prevail on the governor to reinstate the district head and some village heads reportedly removed under former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
According to Yari, restoring the traditional rulers would boost support for the governor and ease the burden of campaigning.
“If they are returned, we would not need to campaign much. They are the ones who will work for your re-election,” he said.
The monarch also defended his support for the state government, recalling criticism he faced after attending the commissioning of a road project.
“Do we have two presidents? Who is our governor?” he asked.
Earlier, Sani described the Gbagyi Chiefdom as integral to Kaduna State’s history and contributions to peace and stability.
“You cannot write the history of the state without acknowledging the Gbagyi Chiefdom,” he said.
The former senator said his visit was to seek prayers and support for APC candidates in the 2027 presidential, governorship, senatorial and legislative elections.
He urged political leaders to respect traditional institutions, describing rulers as custodians of culture and partners in maintaining peace.
Sani added that Gbagyi communities across several states and the Federal Capital Territory had contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development.
