The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, signaling a strong bid for a second term.
This endorsement was secured on Thursday at the APC National Policy and Development Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, with overwhelming support from the party’s National Working Committee, 22 APC governors, and National Assembly leaders.
President Tinubu, addressing party members, dismissed accusations of attempting to create a one-party state. He emphasized Nigeria’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of association, stating, “I am expecting more to come; that is the game. We are in a constitutional democracy that guarantees the freedom of movement and the freedom of association.”
The endorsement comes amid a wave of defections from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC. Notably, Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Abba Yusuf of Kano, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers are poised to join the APC soon. Governor Eno confirmed his intention to defect, urging political appointees to either join him or resign.
“The endorsement today, the carry go expression, I know the road. We will lead you on to that promised land,” Tinubu declared, highlighting his administration’s ongoing economic resuscitation efforts.
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje reaffirmed the party’s commitment to a fair and strategic campaign, citing recent victories in off-season elections as evidence of growing national acceptance. He criticized the PDP as a “shadow of its former self” due to internal crises and defections.
In response, the PDP dismissed APC’s claims, with National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba asserting, “Come 2027, Nigerians will decide whether to endorse the APC’s monumental failure in governance.”
Meanwhile, opposition heavyweights, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Liyel Imoke, are actively strategizing either to form a new political party or merge with existing ones to present a formidable challenge to Tinubu’s bid.
