Heads of federal parastatals have formed a coalition to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

They say they will provide messaging, mobilisation and technical support alongside the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

The group, called the Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals, announced the move in Abuja during a meeting with the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and members of the party’s National Working Committee.

The forum said it has set up a complementary campaign structure covering grassroots mobilisation, campaign messaging, election planning, monitoring and management ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The forum’s chairman, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, who is also Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), said members were taking part as public-sector leaders, political stakeholders and committed Nigerians, not only as officeholders. He said institutions that have delivered for citizens have a duty to tell the public about it.

Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, chairman of the forum’s Media and Publicity Committee and Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), described the arrangement as a technical partnership meant to support the PCC rather than compete with it.

He argued that an election’s communication machinery cannot be left to the campaign council alone. He added that the 2027 campaign would focus on what the administration has already done, unlike 2023, which centred on promises. Ajiboye also said the forum would return to the party leadership with detailed technical proposals on how its members can contribute.

Yilwatda welcomed the initiative as timely and acknowledged the role chief executives could play in political communication and grassroots engagement. He said electoral success depends on each stakeholder understanding and performing their role. He also endorsed the plan for the forum to build a structure that takes government information closer to communities. Both sides agreed to a framework for further engagement.

The forum had earlier pledged to mobilise at least 10 million votes for Tinubu in 2027 and named the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, as its patron. It said its campaign would be lawful, ethical, peaceful and issue-based.

That would include explaining government policies and achievements and giving citizens a channel for feedback and concerns.