Minna, Niger State – The All Farmers Association, Niger chapter (AFAN) submitted Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to Governor Umaru Bago of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, signaling support for his bid for a second term.
State Chairman of AFAN, Muhammed Abubakar, handed the documents to Governor Bago at the Government House in Minna. Abubakar said the gesture recognises the administration’s “support and commitment to agricultural development” in Niger State.
“The agricultural revolution launched by Governor Bago has positively impacted farmers, improving productivity and livelihoods,” Abubakar noted. He added that the association’s 2.7 million registered farmers are prepared to mobilise for the governor’s re‑election campaign.
Governor Bago thanked the farmers for the submission, describing it as a vote of confidence in his government. “The reward for good is good always, and the result for hard work is more work,” he said, affirming that the support would not be taken for granted.
He pledged to sustain and expand current programmes aimed at boosting the state’s agricultural sector, including inputs distribution, extension services and market access initiatives that have been rolled out since his first term began in 2023.
The submission comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, where the APC will seek to retain the governorship in Niger State. Agriculture remains a key pillar of the state’s economy, employing a large proportion of the population and contributing significantly to food security in the region.
Stakeholders note that the governor’s policies—such as the Niger State Agribusiness Initiative and the establishment of agro‑processing clusters—have attracted private investment and increased farm gate prices for staple crops. Continued political backing from the farming community could bolster these efforts and influence voter sentiment in rural constituencies.
AFAN’s endorsement reflects broader agrarian support for the incumbent, as farmers across northern Nigeria monitor policy outcomes closely. The association’s mobilisation of its extensive membership will likely involve grassroots campaigns, town‑hall meetings and the use of local media to articulate the governor’s achievements.
Governor Bago’s administration has indicated that forthcoming budgets will allocate additional resources to irrigation, mechanisation and youth agribusiness schemes, aiming to deepen the sector’s contribution to the state’s Gross Domestic Product.
The submission of the nomination forms marks a formal step in consolidating political support from the agricultural sector ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
