House of Representatives member representing the Bichi Federal Constituency of Kano State, Engr. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu played a pivotal role in the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the 2015 presidential election, after Buhari’s previous unsuccessful attempts to become president.

Bichi made the remark on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting and the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for Bichi Federal Constituency in Bichi town, Bichi Local Government Area, Kano State.

“Late President Muhammadu Buhari would not have emerged victorious in the 2015 presidential election without the political support and strategic intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Bichi said.

According to him, in recognition of Tinubu’s support for the North, the region should endorse him and turn out in large numbers to vote for him in the next general election.

“The North owes President Tinubu a debt of gratitude for approving major road construction and other development projects across the region, and for standing with late President Buhari as he completed his eight years in office,” he said.

“The time has come for the Northern political establishment to reciprocate Tinubu’s support by mobilising votes for his second-term bid.”

Bichi said political stakeholders in Kano North Senatorial District had resolved to deliver at least one million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

“Tinubu helped late President Muhammadu Buhari become president after several unsuccessful attempts. It is now time for us to repay Tinubu for what he did for the North,” Bichi said.

He also dismissed claims that Tinubu was pursuing policies deliberately targeting Northern Nigeria, describing them as insincere and politically motivated.

Bichi said the president’s support for Kano State, particularly through approvals for key infrastructure projects, demonstrated his commitment to the region’s development.

“Those who say President Tinubu does not like the North are not sincere. We have decided to vote massively for the president because of his development support for Kano,” he said.

The APC chieftain said several development projects underway in Kano State would not have been possible without the president’s support and intervention.

He said the Tinubu administration had continued to back infrastructure development through project approvals and other federal interventions that had benefited the state.

“President Tinubu’s approvals have brought several development projects to Kano. I could not have delivered all these projects without his support,” Bichi said.

He said the decision to support Tinubu was not only a political obligation but also an expression of gratitude for his role in Buhari’s emergence and his continued development initiatives in Kano State.

Bichi said the APC aimed to consolidate its political influence in Kano North and ensure the district delivered the highest number of votes for Tinubu in the state.

“We are not just talking about Bichi or Kano North; we are talking about all 44 local government areas. We are talking about the whole of Kano, and we will get what we want,” he said.

He said Kano North had approximately 1.3 million registered voters and that party stakeholders had resolved to mobilise at least one million votes for the APC in the upcoming elections.

Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the event, urged the campaign council to deploy the necessary resources and effort to secure victories for all APC candidates in Kano.

Garo cautioned the campaign team against actions that could threaten peace and stability in Kano North. He also encouraged APC supporters to adopt an issue-based campaign to persuade voters.

Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, director-general of the APC presidential and governorship campaign council in Kano, urged the Bichi campaign team to mobilise grassroots groups and young people to build support for the party.

Expressing confidence in the APC’s prospects in Kano in the January 2027 presidential and governorship elections, Gwarzo urged the campaign team to avoid violence and actions that could undermine peace in the state.