Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday inaugurated the national headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Abuja, urging members to intensify grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Mrs Tinubu charged members of the movement to take the administration’s policies and achievements to households across the country, saying their ability to engage citizens respectfully would be crucial to winning support for the President.
The inauguration was attended by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; and other political leaders, including governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady described door-to-door campaigning as an important avenue for reaching communities, listening to citizens’ concerns and explaining the policies of the Tinubu administration.
She said the newly inaugurated headquarters would serve as a coordination centre for developing ideas and disseminating the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and message of shared prosperity.
Mrs Tinubu commended the movement’s convener and grand patron, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his commitment to grassroots mobilisation.
She urged members to engage Nigerians peacefully, irrespective of their political affiliations, stressing that every citizen deserved to be heard and valued.
According to her, the movement must win the hearts and votes of Nigerians through messages of hope, unity, development and shared prosperity.
“A message must consistently resonate hope, peace, unity, and development, especially the impactful progress the Tinubu administration has made so far,” she said.
The First Lady also urged campaigners to explain the government’s economic reforms and emerging opportunities, particularly those available to young Nigerians seeking employment.
She said the country was moving from implementing reforms to realising their benefits and building prosperity.
Mrs Tinubu cited developments in artificial intelligence, robotics and electric vehicles as areas offering opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Things are happening. Jobs are coming in. Investors are also coming in, in droves,” she said.
She expressed optimism about the administration’s prospects in 2027, saying she wanted a Nigeria where citizens would enjoy improved infrastructure, efficient transportation and greater prosperity.
Also speaking, Akpabio described the movement as an important platform for strengthening grassroots engagement, promoting national unity and mobilising support for the President’s second term.
He commended Tompolo and the movement’s national coordinator, Comrade Sunday Asuku, for establishing a campaign structure to promote the administration’s policies.
The Senate President disclosed that the movement had visited 14 states, adding that its members were conducting door-to-door campaigns in states including Sokoto and Borno.
He urged campaigners to listen to citizens and understand their challenges rather than merely solicit votes.
“When you go from door to door, do not merely seek political support. Carry a message of the hope of the Renewed Hope of this President to them,” Akpabio said.
He defended the administration’s economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal, efforts to stabilise the currency and tax reforms, arguing that the measures were intended to reposition the economy and improve the country’s long-term prospects.
Akpabio also cautioned against allowing political differences to undermine national unity.
“Our diversity must never become our division. Our difficulties must never destroy our determination. And our politics must never become greater than our patriotism,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, commended Tompolo for establishing the movement.
Tompolo, in his remarks delivered through the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He said the movement had taken the President’s re-election message to 14 states and planned to extend its campaign to the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Tompolo argued that Tinubu deserved a second term for taking what he described as difficult decisions aimed at repositioning the economy and improving governance.
He described the inauguration of the Abuja headquarters by the First Lady as a defining moment in the movement’s campaign.
“This is more than the opening of an office. It is the opening of a new front in the effort to carry the message of Renewed Hope to every Nigerian,” he said.
He added that the movement intended to reach households, wards, communities, markets and places of worship to mobilise support for Tinubu and candidates of the All Progressives Congress across the country.
“In recent months, we have taken the message of Renewed Hope to the people with conviction and purpose. We have listened to citizens, engaged communities and explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—a leader of courage, patriotism and steadfast belief in Nigeria—deserves the opportunity to serve a second term,” he said.
“Our message is clear: Nigeria is not standing still; Nigeria is moving forward.”
Governors Oborevwori and Aiyedatiwa, in separate goodwill messages, also expressed support for the movement and pledged to work towards Tinubu’s re-election.
The inauguration marks another step in efforts by supporters of the President to expand grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.
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