A political storm is brewing in Gwagwalada as activist and political stakeholder, Usman Zakari (aka ManUtd CrownPrince), issued a scathing statement condemning what he described as deep-rooted betrayal, hypocrisy, and fake political influence within party ranks, while openly endorsing Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri for the House of Representatives in 2027.
Zakari challenged the long-held belief that party “structure” guarantees electoral victory, citing the 2023 presidential election as a defining example. According to him, despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commanding overwhelming party machinery in Lagos State—including governors, ward leaders, and political power brokers—he lost the state to the Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. Zakari argued that this outcome permanently dismantles the myth that structure alone translates to votes.
He maintained, however, that Tinubu’s eventual national victory was secured not through local theatrics but through broader factors such as track record, name recognition, credibility, and long-term political relevance. He extended the argument to Rivers State, where Tinubu emerged winner despite lacking a solid party base, attributing the outcome to personal reputation and strategic political relationships rather than party propaganda.
Turning to local politics, Zakari described the 2023 senatorial election as a painful episode of internal sabotage, alleging that Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi was “sold out” by members of his own political family. He accused party actors of working against their candidate, withholding support, and later blaming unnamed external forces for the loss.
Zakari further accused notable figures operating under the current APC flag bearer of actively undermining the House of Representatives ambition of Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, despite benefitting from the same party platform. He described their alleged open and covert loyalty to a chairmanship candidate from Kwali as a betrayal, especially given Giri’s role in facilitating and delivering the chairmanship ticket in Gwagwalada Area Council.
Describing the situation as dangerous and disgraceful, Zakari warned that political ingratitude and selective loyalty threaten collective progress. He rejected attempts to frame such actions as strategy, insisting instead that they amount to sabotage with inevitable consequences.
“I may not support your chairmanship candidate, but I did not go behind to support another party or someone from another land,” Zakari stated, stressing that his political journey is guided by principles and integrity.
He also dismissed claims of political dominance by individuals who, according to him, repeatedly fail to deliver votes at their polling units while parading themselves as political landlords. Zakari emphasized that titles, noise, social media propaganda, and name-dropping do not win elections, insisting that only performance, credibility, trust, and verifiable electoral delivery matter.
The activist revealed that he possesses detailed electoral records from Gwagwalada Area Council, including polling unit data, names, numbers, and historical voting patterns, which he said clearly show who delivered during Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri’s 2022 victory and who merely deceived. He warned that while he is currently restraining himself from releasing these details, doing so in the future would leave “no room for denial.”
Zakari concluded by declaring that politics has evolved, voters are wiser, and the era of fake influence is collapsing rapidly. He ended his statement with an unambiguous endorsement: “Abu Giri for House of Rep 2027, InshaAllah.”
— Chronicles Reporters