First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intensify grassroots mobilisation and build trust among supporters, saying political success depends on sustained engagement with the people.
During a meeting with APC women leaders from across the country, Senator Tinubu said politics is fundamentally about building support at the grassroots, earning trust and maintaining close ties with constituents.
“Politics is not about gender; it’s about number,” she said in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi.
“If you don’t connect with the grassroots, you can’t win their trust.”
The First Lady said women in politics must remain connected to the people who elected them, noting that her experience as a senator underscored the importance of consistent engagement with constituents.
She recalled holding quarterly town hall meetings throughout her eight years in the Senate, describing the initiative as a key tool for grassroots engagement.
“I connect with the grassroots. I am still the only woman on record who has ever done town hall meeting every quarter. I did that consecutively for good eight years,” she said.
Tinubu stressed that political office holders must continue relating with constituents after elections, warning that many politicians lose relevance when they abandon the people who supported them once they assume office.
“You have to connect with them. If I find it difficult to reach out to you as an office holder, how do you want your constituents to reach out to you?” she asked.
The First Lady also highlighted the role of trust in political organisation, saying supporters must feel valued and included.
“You have to build trust and connection. Once it’s not there, you can’t win,” she said.
She urged the APC women’s wing to continue strengthening its base through local engagement, voter education and sensitisation, describing political mobilisation as a deliberate and structured process.
“Politics is very, very sensitive,” she said.
