 governors and leaders has been met with skepticism by opposition parties.){kind=link}
President Bola Tinubu’s recent endorsement for re-election by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and leaders has been met with skepticism by opposition parties.
They argue that the endorsement is a “sham” and will not influence Nigerians’ votes in the 2027 election.
The APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, citing his economic reforms as a reason for their endorsement. However, opposition parties claim that the APC is heavily divided and that the endorsement is a desperate attempt to stay relevant.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have dismissed the endorsement, stating that it will not sway the votes of Nigerians in 2027. They argue that the APC’s endorsement is based on a flawed assumption that combining votes from past elections can guarantee a win.
The PDP’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, described the APC NEC as a “sham” arrangement involving politicians with no serious value. He argued that the APC has been heavily balkanized, which is reflected in the manner some critical stakeholders shunned the session.
The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, noted that it’s too early for any party to conclude it will win the 2027 presidential poll. He emphasized that the LP will wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the modalities for the poll before making any moves.
The APC has dismissed the opposition’s claims, stating that President Tinubu’s endorsement is a testament to his leadership and vision for the country. The party’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, described the potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra Governor Peter Obi as “strange bedfellows” and argued that merely combining votes from past elections does not translate to a winning formula.
As the 2027 presidential election approaches, the battle lines have been drawn. The APC is confident that President Tinubu’s endorsement will propel him to victory, while the opposition parties are determined to challenge his re-election bid.
The opposition parties have emphasized the need for a broader strategy to challenge the APC effectively. They argue that a unified front is critical, drawing parallels to the coalition that ousted former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain – the 2027 presidential election will be a highly contested and closely watched event.