The President of GLOBE Legislators and former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Sir Sam Ifeanyichukwu Onuigbo, has urged supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intensify grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onuigbo said political mobilisation must go beyond social media campaigns, party meetings and political gatherings to direct interactions with ordinary Nigerians in markets, workplaces, educational institutions, religious organisations and communities.
He gave the charge on Monday, November 2, 2026, in Umuahia, Abia State, during an interactive session organised by the Strategic Mobilisation Network for Tinubu Continuity 2027 (SMN TC2027).
The former federal lawmaker, who serves as Patron of the organisation, said the network was established to build a coordinated political structure capable of explaining the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration to Nigerians.
According to him, discussions on the establishment of the network began during a strategic meeting on August 28, 2026, when stakeholders identified the need to engage different segments of society ahead of the presidential election.
“Our mission is to build a strong and effective political mobilisation structure that will take the message of continuity beyond party meetings and political circles, reaching ordinary Nigerians in their markets, workplaces, schools, communities and places of worship,” he said.
Onuigbo explained that members of the network must understand the practical implications of government programmes before attempting to communicate their benefits.
He said traders should be engaged on access to credit and economic policies, while students and parents should receive information about educational opportunities such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Similarly, he urged members to engage farmers on agricultural interventions, transport operators on alternative energy initiatives and community leaders on infrastructure and security concerns.
The APC chieftain stressed that political communication would be more effective when it addressed issues directly affecting people’s daily lives.
He warned against treating citizens’ complaints about economic hardship as opposition to the government.
“If somebody tells us that food is expensive, we should not argue with that person. If a trader complains about the cost of transportation, we should acknowledge the challenge. If a young graduate complains about unemployment, we should understand the frustration,” Onuigbo stated.
He maintained that meaningful political engagement required listening to citizens, acknowledging their difficulties and providing credible information about government interventions.
Onuigbo also cautioned members against spreading unverified information, exaggerating government achievements or making promises that could not be substantiated.
“We must defend the President with facts, not insults. We must respect people who disagree with us because political differences should never destroy relationships or divide our communities,” he said.
He further directed attention to the need for proper organisation, urging members to identify their areas of influence, establish relationships with relevant associations and monitor the effectiveness of their engagement.
According to him, the network should be able to account for the number of people reached, the concerns raised and the progress recorded in its mobilisation activities.
The former lawmaker maintained that the success of the organisation would not be determined by the size of its meetings but by its ability to build public confidence and earn electoral support.
He urged members to approach the assignment with discipline, respect and commitment, describing the 2027 election as an opportunity for Nigerians to assess the direction of the country.
Onuigbo concluded by calling for sustained grassroots engagement built around the network’s four principles of continuity, consolidation, completion and prosperity.
