Former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates to intensify grassroots mobilisation and engage voters directly ahead of the 2027 general election.

Makarfi said electoral victory depended on candidates’ ability to build relationships with communities, understand their concerns and earn the confidence of the electorate rather than rely solely on party structures.

He spoke on Thursday during the inauguration of the PDP campaign council and commissioning of its campaign office in Kaduna, where the party also held a stakeholders’ meeting for Zone 2.

The former governor, who formally flagged off the party’s campaign, said candidates must comply with electoral laws and guidelines, regardless of whether some provisions were convenient for them.

“If you insist on having things your own way, then you are not ready to participate in an election. But if you want to contest an election, you must be prepared to accept and work within those rules. God gives power, but the people vote,” he said.

He said meaningful engagement with voters would help candidates understand their needs and build the trust necessary to earn their support.

The PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Shehu Usman Bawa, popularly known as ABG, said his administration would adopt a bottom-up approach to governance if elected in February 2027.

Bawa said the party was reaching out to residents through television and radio programmes, as well as direct engagements, to explain its plans and understand the challenges facing communities across the state.

He explained that the party had developed a draft manifesto that remained open to public contributions, adding that concerns raised during its media engagements would be incorporated into the document.

“Our approach in governance will be a bottom-up approach. We’re reaching out directly to the masses to know what exactly they want,” he said.

In his remarks, the PDP Chairman in Kaduna State, Hon. Edward Masha, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of failing to address insecurity, unemployment, rising cost of living and the deterioration of education and healthcare services in the state.

Masha said residents were dissatisfied with the situation and wanted a change, expressing confidence that the PDP would secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.

“The issue of insecurity is glaring. Everybody knows about it. The cost of living, unemployment among our youths, our educational system is in shambles, and our health system is completely dilapidated. Our people are tired of the lies. They want a change,” he said.

Masha also faulted claims that Kaduna State had no opposition, alleging that the last local government election was not credible.

The chairman maintained that opposition politics involved holding government accountable through public engagement and criticism, not violence.

Masha also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge its responsibilities fairly and impartially ahead of the 2027 elections.