By Abdulkareem Haruna


The All Kanuri Youth Renewed Hope Agenda (AKYRHA) has pledged to mobilize 10 million votes across the 19 northern states to ensure a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 general elections.
The group made this declaration during the official launch of its activities and the issuance of an appointment and award to its National Executive Council (NEC) Chairman, Aji Kolo Ali Guja, in Maiduguri.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of AKYRHA, Mustapha Mala Karamma, stated that the movement was born out of a necessity to foster unity among the Kanuri people and address the voting gaps observed during the 2023 polls.
The ‘Kashimiyas’ Movement
The group described its members as “Kashimiyas,” a term signifying their absolute loyalty to Vice President Shettima.
“We stand by him through thick and thin,” the coordinator said, invoking one of the Vice President’s favorite quotes: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The group expressed regret that the region’s support for Mr Shettima during the 2023 elections “fell short of expectations,” a reality they said necessitated a renewed drive for solidarity among Kanuri youths in Borno, Yobe, Nasarawa, and the wider North.


Massive Mobilisation
The AKYRHA leadership announced that it would embark on a massive grassroots mobilisation exercise starting next week. The campaign aims to achieve over 95 per cent support for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in its core strongholds.
“Starting from next week, we are also going to make a public declaration on all the works of Kashim Shettima as Vice President across Northern Nigeria,” the group added.

In his remarks, the APC State Treasurer, Goni Abacha, who is also appointed as the Director General of the group, commended the group for taking the lead in 2027 advocacy. He assured them of the party’s backing, noting that the Tinubu/Shettima campaign organisation has adopted AKYRHA as a “sister body” for the upcoming election cycle.
Mr Abacha further promised increased support for the group following the APC convention scheduled for next week, to enable them to reach “all crannies” of the region with their message.
Bridging the Gap
The Chairman of the NEC, Aji Kolo Ali Guja, emphasized that the agenda is not merely political but aimed at social and cultural cohesion.
“AKYRHA seeks to bridge the gap of disunity among Kanuri people… our mission is to promote awareness, participation, and unity among youths and the wider community,” he said.


The event concluded with a call for all Kanuri youths to join the movement under the slogan: “United We Rise, Together We Thrive.”                          Highpoint of the well attended event was the launching of the 10 million votes agenda with a ceremonial cutting of cake led by the member representing Magumeri, Gubio, Kaga Federal constituency at the House of Reps, Hon Usman Zanna, who remarked that the launching of the 10 million votes pledge for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket was not a kickstart of campaign but a preparation strategy ahead of the 2027 election campaign.

Hon Usman Zannah who was also appointed as the National Patron, commended the youth for idealising such an initiative stressing that the pledge of 10 million votes is very realistic because the Kanuris spread across the entire Nigeria as well as Africa and the middle east. He also announced that he would help mobilise financial support for the group by bringing in other stakeholders. He however announced the donation of N3 million on behalf of the trio of himself, Hon Gujja and Goni Abacha.