After the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured a victory in Kaduna’s recent by-elections, Governor Uba Sani took a subtle jab at his predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over the role of social media in political campaigns. Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting, Sani made it clear that social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram don’t have polling units, emphasizing that elections are won on the ground, not online.
Sani’s remarks, made shortly after the party’s triumph in the Saturday election, were seen as a direct response to El-Rufai, who is known for his frequent political activity on social media. He cautioned party members not to be distracted by what he described as “social media propaganda” but to focus on grassroots mobilisation, governance, and inclusivity, which he believes were key to the APC’s success.
“There is no ballot box on Twitter. There is no ballot box on Instagram or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not on social media,” Sani told the crowd, drawing applause from party supporters. He stressed that while the opposition may have concentrated their efforts on “Twitter battles and Facebook noise,” APC focused on tangible actions and delivering meaningful governance.
Sani’s remarks were interpreted as a critique of El-Rufai’s tendency to engage in political debates on social media, which some see as distracting from the real work of governance. The governor emphasized that elections are ultimately decided by the people who experience and benefit from good governance, not by the noise of online debates.
“Our opponents chose to fight the propaganda battle, but we chose to fight the political battle. They lost because the people know who is working for them. We will not waste our time on social media noise-making,” he said.
The governor also highlighted the historic nature of the APC’s victory, particularly in regions that had not supported the party since 1999. He attributed this success to his administration’s commitment to economic development, rural empowerment, and agriculture. By focusing on inclusivity and providing equal opportunities, the APC was able to win over communities that had previously been skeptical.
Sani proudly noted that areas once abandoned due to insecurity had been revitalised, with over 500,000 hectares of farmland reclaimed and used for maize, tomato, and ginger production, making Kaduna a leader in agricultural output.
“This victory was possible because the people saw inclusivity in action. We made a pledge to defend everyone, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation—and we kept it,” he said.
The governor urged party members to remain faithful to the APC manifesto, asserting that staying connected with the people at the grassroots level would be the key to maintaining the party’s hold on power in the coming years.
“Party first, politics second. Let us not forget our manifesto. Let us not abandon our wards and local governments. If we stay with the people, no party can defeat us,” he added.
Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (rtd.), the APC State Chairman, echoed the governor’s sentiments, praising the inclusive leadership approach that led to the party’s success. He expressed confidence that unity within the party would help secure even greater victories in the 2027 elections.
