By Rayyanu Bala

I write this open letter to draw your attention to an issue that I believe deserves serious consideration as we move closer to the 2027 political season: the urgent need to take grassroots mobilisation and community engagement seriously.
Politics, especially grassroots politics, is not built from offices. It is built from the streets, neighbourhoods, compounds, unguwas and communities where ordinary people live, interact and form relationships every day.
That is why the recent mobilisation led by Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA), deserves attention and commendation.
On Sunday, Dr. Iskilu successfully organised and mobilised thousands of women and youths from his Ungwan Magajin Mallam community in Lafia in support of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. Beyond the impressive numbers, what stands out is the organisation, personal commitment and grassroots connection behind the mobilisation.
Dr. Iskilu has demonstrated something every political appointee should understand: political influence becomes meaningful when it is translated into genuine engagement with the people at the grassroots.
He did not sit in an office and expect people to automatically identify with a political cause. He went to his people. He brought them together. He engaged them and gave them a reason to participate.
That is grassroots leadership.
The Time to Mobilise Is Now
Dear political appointees, this should serve as a wake-up call. As at my last count, governor Sule has over 30 political appointees within Lafia Metropolis.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for every political appointee in Lafia Municipal to begin organising and mobilising people in their respective unguwas and communities.
Please do not wait until 2027 before remembering your people.
The political calendar is already moving, and anyone who understands grassroots politics knows that mobilisation cannot be built overnight. It requires relationships, meetings, conversations, listening, organisation and, above all, consistent presence among the people.
Every political appointee has a neighbourhood, ungwa or community from which he or she originates. That community should not only hear from you when elections are approaching.
Be there now.
Know the youths.
Engage the women.
Interact with community leaders.
Listen to the concerns of ordinary residents.
Create platforms where people can come together, discuss issues and participate meaningfully in the political process.
Most importantly, demonstrate that your appointment has not disconnected you from the people and communities that gave you your political roots.
Dr. Iskilu Has Shown the Way
The significance of Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh’s mobilisation goes beyond one political gathering.
It is a practical demonstration of what can happen when leadership is combined with organisation, dedication and genuine grassroots connection.
His ability to bring thousands of women and youths together shows that political mobilisation is not simply about occupying a government position. It is about what one does with the influence, relationships and opportunities that come with that position.
His continued mobilisation in support of Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada is therefore worthy of commendation and emulation.
Other political appointees in Lafia Municipal should look at what is happening and ask themselves one simple question:
“What am I doing in my own unguwa?”
If the answer is nothing, then the time to start is now.
Make Governor Sule Proud
Ultimately, the responsibility of a political appointee should not end with receiving an appointment.
An appointment is an opportunity to contribute to the success of the administration that entrusted you with responsibility.
If every political appointee in Lafia Municipal begins genuine grassroots mobilisation and organisation within his or her respective community, the cumulative impact could be enormous.
Imagine every unguwa having organised women groups, youth structures, community engagements and regular political conversations.
Imagine political appointees knowing the people in their communities, maintaining direct contact with them and understanding their aspirations and concerns.
That is how a formidable grassroots political structure is built.
And if there is one person who should be pleased to see such an organised and united political structure emerging across Lafia, it is Governor Abdullahi Sule.
By the time Governor Sule prepares to leave office in May 2027, he should be able to look back and see his political appointees who did more than occupy offices.
He should see people who worked, mobilised, organised and strengthened the administration’s connection with the grassroots.
That, in my view, would be one of the greatest ways they could repay the confidence placed in them.
The Challenge Is Now Yours
Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh has provided a practical example of what grassroots political engagement can look like.
Now, the challenge is for others to follow.
To the political appointees of Lafia Municipal, the message is clear:
Do not wait for 2027.
Go back to your unguwa.
Organise your people.
Mobilise your youths and women.
Engage your community leaders.
Build relationships.
Listen to your people.
Create structures.
Start now.
Because when the political journey reaches May 2027, history will not only remember those who held political appointments.
It will remember those who actually worked among the people.
It will remember those who built relationships.
It will remember those who mobilised.
It will remember those who organised.
And above all, it will remember those who remained connected to the grassroots.
The time is now.