The Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, has announced that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has recruited over 4.4 million polling unit officials nationwide as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Uzodimma disclosed this on Wednesday during a keynote address at the two-day Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Retreat held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

He said the mobilisation drive involved 4,421,150 individuals deployed across the country’s 176,846 polling units, forming what he described as a structured grassroots network in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

According to him, the initiative translates to about 25 canvassers per polling unit, which he described as a “lawful civic force” aimed at strengthening voter outreach and political organisation.

“That is the mathematics of serious mobilisation. That is the difference between hoping to win and organising to win,” he said.

Uzodimma explained that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors structure operates through a multi-layered system spanning the national level down to geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, wards, registration areas, and polling units.

He added that the organisation now runs through 17 directorates covering areas such as youth mobilisation, media and publicity, digital communications, finance, monitoring and compliance, legal affairs, data and technology, women affairs, diaspora engagement, and research and innovation.

The governor also revealed that the platform launched a digital system in April, featuring a data communication centre designed to track public sentiment and respond to misinformation in real time.

Describing the 2027 elections as a defining moment, Uzodimma said the poll would determine whether Nigeria continues on its current reform path or changes direction.

He urged participants at the retreat—drawn from across the country—to focus on building a coordinated mobilisation framework, including a national blueprint, state action plans, messaging guidelines, and election readiness strategies.

He stressed that the retreat was a working session, not a ceremonial gathering, and encouraged delegates to focus on practical implementation.

“Do not waste it on speeches. Build something that lasts,” he said, urging participants to serve as a bridge between government policy and grassroots communities.

Uzodimma also defended key policies of the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms, describing them as necessary but difficult decisions aimed at long-term economic stability.

He said improved communication was essential, warning that “silence” could allow misinformation to shape public perception of government policies.

The governor pointed to recent economic indicators, including reported GDP growth of 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, as evidence of progress under the administration.

He also highlighted major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Road, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, and Bodo-Bonny Road.

In his remarks, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda praised the administration’s economic reforms, citing improvements in reserves, trade surplus figures, and renewed investor confidence.

He said foreign reserves had risen above $50 billion, while Nigeria recorded a N7.55 trillion trade surplus in early 2026. He also claimed that multinational companies, including Shell, were increasing investments in the country.

Yilwatda urged party mobilisers to translate economic data into relatable stories that resonate with citizens at the grassroots level.

Other speakers at the retreat, including Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and former Governor Tanko Al-Makura, described the mobilisation effort as key to the APC’s strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors initiative was established in late 2025 as part of the administration’s grassroots communication and political engagement structure, aimed at promoting government policies and countering misinformation.