Former Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President, Hon. Usaini Danbirni Jibrin, popularly known as Usaini Pasi Rahama, has explained why he resigned his appointment and left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Pasi Rahama, who previously served as Director-General of Operations, Contact and Mobilisation for the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Kano, spoke during a meeting of Atiku Abubakar’s elder supporters in Kano State.
The meeting was organised by Comrade Idris Ibrahim Unguwar Gini, whom Pasi Rahama commended for his efforts in mobilising supporters of the former vice president.
Pasi Rahama currently serves as National Coordinator of Atiku Action to Save Nigeria (AA-SAN) and is also National President of the Groundnut Farmers Youths Network.
Why Pasi Rahama Said He Left APC
Explaining his decision, Pasi Rahama pointed to what he described as worsening economic hardship, insecurity and what he considers unfair treatment of farmers and northern communities under the current administration.
He said farmers had experienced humiliation while businessmen had faced what he described as disrespect, adding that he was also concerned about what he characterised as ethnic bias.
“We know the kind of humiliation that farmers have suffered and the disrespect meted out to businessmen,” he said.
Pasi Rahama argued that the situation had convinced him that northern voters should reconsider their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next election.
His comments reflect his political position and were not accompanied by independent evidence establishing his broader claims about regional development or ethnic discrimination.
He Says He Personally Resigned to Barau Jibrin
The former aide said his decision to leave the APC was communicated directly to Senator Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President.
According to Pasi Rahama, he met Barau in person and handed him his resignation letter before informing him that he would no longer support Tinubu.
He said his decision was driven by his assessment of the condition of northern Nigeria, citing insecurity, poverty, high living costs and economic hardship among the reasons for his political realignment.
“I told him I will no longer support Tinubu. Because I know the calamity we are in,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as an imbalance in the distribution of development projects between northern and southern Nigeria, although those claims were presented as his personal assessment.
Pasi Rahama Warns Against Hausa-Fulani Division
The former APC campaign official also appealed for unity between Hausa and Fulani communities in the North.
He argued that the two groups share longstanding social and family ties and should not allow political developments to deepen divisions between them.
“We Hausa and Fulani are one,” he said, urging northerners to focus on issues affecting their communities rather than allowing political differences to create further conflict.
His appeal comes amid wider debates about insecurity, regional development and political realignment as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‘Voting Is Not a Big Deal’
Pasi Rahama also urged supporters to approach the 2027 election peacefully and encouraged eligible voters to obtain their voter cards.
He said elections, rather than violence, should be used to change governments and urged supporters to maintain good relationships with relatives, neighbours and other members of their communities.
“Go, stand on the queue and cast your vote. Maintain good relations with people, with your relatives and neighbours. Let us go and vote peacefully across the country,” he said.
He further encouraged supporters to ensure that people around them who are eligible to vote obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, while warning against associating with individuals who might use political gatherings to cause trouble.
The emphasis on voter participation comes as political parties and emerging alliances intensify preparations for 2027. The Bureau Journal has been tracking the APC’s candidate-selection process and the political calculations surrounding the next election.
Why Atiku?
Pasi Rahama said his decision to support Atiku was based on his belief that the former vice president has the political capacity to defeat the incumbent and address the difficulties he says Nigerians are facing.
He described Atiku, widely known as the Waziri of Adamawa, as the candidate he believes can “help Nigerians” and improve the position of people in the North.
“We love the Waziri of Adamawa, we will vote for him because we believe he is the one who will help Nigerians and rescue Northerners who are being oppressed,” he said.
Atiku has previously outlined economic proposals aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s economy. His proposed approach to fuel subsidy and domestic refining has featured prominently in the debate over how a future administration could address the country’s energy and economic challenges.
He has also promised to pursue policies designed to expand trade and economic activity, including reopening Nigeria’s land borders and reviving transborder trade.
2027 Political Realignment Gathers Pace
Pasi Rahama’s defection adds to a growing series of political movements and endorsements taking place ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Across the country, politicians and political groups are reassessing their alliances, while former members of major parties continue to announce new affiliations and support for presidential aspirants.
The development is particularly significant in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically influential states and a key battleground in northern politics.
Recent political developments have also shown how quickly alliances are shifting ahead of the election, with politicians moving between parties and support groups attempting to build grassroots structures.
Political disputes within opposition parties have similarly highlighted the fluid nature of Nigeria’s emerging 2027 political landscape.
For Atiku and his supporters, the challenge will now be to convert individual defections and endorsements into a broader electoral coalition capable of competing effectively across Nigeria.
For Pasi Rahama, however, his latest move represents a clear political break with the APC and a renewed commitment to Atiku’s presidential bid.
The Bureau Journal will continue to track the political realignments, defections and campaign developments shaping Nigeria’s road to the 2027 elections.
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