Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has taken what many observers considered a subtle jab at his predecessor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, declaring that elections are not won on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
The Governor made the remark at a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna on Monday, shortly after the party’s triumph in Saturday’s keenly contested bye-election across some federal and state constituencies in the state.
Sani, who addressed party faithful amid cheers and applause, warned members of the ruling APC against being carried away by social media propaganda, stressing that the real strength of any political party lies in grassroots mobilisation and people-centred governance.
“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,” the Governor declared to thunderous applause from the crowd.
Although he did not mention El-Rufai by name, political analysts at the event interpreted his statement as a veiled criticism of the former governor, who is renowned for his fiery commentaries and strong social media presence, especially on Twitter (now X).
Sani insisted that propaganda and online noise could never guarantee electoral victory.
He maintained that governance, inclusivity, and delivery of tangible dividends of democracy were the only strategies that could sustain the APC in power in Kaduna and beyond.
According to him, the opposition parties lost the bye-elections because they expended their energy “fighting Twitter battles and Facebook wars,” while the APC invested in mobilising real voters across wards and polling units.
“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. Instead, we will remain with the people, because they are the real power brokers,” Sani said.
The Governor noted that Saturday’s electoral feat was historic, particularly in communities where the APC had never recorded victory since the return of democracy in 1999.
He attributed the success to his administration’s deliberate focus on economic development, rural empowerment, inclusivity, and agriculture.
“Since 1999, some communities had never voted for our party. But today, they stood with us because they saw inclusivity in action.
“We made a pledge to defend everyone, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or party affiliation—and we kept it. That is why they voted massively for us,” Sani added.
The Governor reeled out some of his administration’s interventions in agriculture, which he described as the bedrock of Kaduna’s economy.
He disclosed that over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmlands had been reclaimed from bandits and restored for cultivation.
He added that Kaduna had become a leader in the production of maize, tomato, and ginger, thanks to huge investments and budgetary allocations to the sector.
“Our agricultural policies have restored hope to rural dwellers. These are the real voters who matter. They are the ones who came out in their numbers to ensure APC’s victory,” the Governor said.
Sani used the occasion to caution party executives against neglecting the APC manifesto or losing touch with the grassroots ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He warned that the only way to consolidate the bye-election gains and guarantee the party’s dominance was to put “party first, politics second.”
“Let us not abandon our wards and local governments. If we remain with the people, no party can defeat us. Party first, politics second,” the Governor said
Earlier in his remarks, the APC State Chairman, Emmanuel Jekada, commended Governor Sani’s leadership style, describing it as inclusive, people-oriented and result-driven.
Jekada hailed the party stakeholders for working tirelessly to secure victory in the bye-elections, saying the outcome had further strengthened the APC’s chances ahead of 2027.
“What happened on Saturday is a clear testimony that with unity and inclusiveness, APC remains the dominant party in Kaduna State. I want to commend His Excellency for his people-centred approach to governance. He has carried everyone along, and that has reflected in the electoral results we just witnessed,” Jekada stated.
He expressed confidence that with continued unity, the APC would consolidate its power base in Kaduna and replicate the feat across the North in the next general elections.
Saturday’s bye-election victory has been seen as a major boost for Governor Sani, who has faced criticism over his handling of security and economic challenges since assuming office in May 2023.
