Nigeria’s Ruling Party Backs Tinubu for 2027 Re-Election Bid

Editorial: reda El ghazal

Declared during a high-profile summit in Abuja, Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje affirmed the decision, citing Tinubu’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate liberalization, as pivotal steps to reboot the economy. The move aligns with support from APC governors and lawmakers, who praised the administration’s bold leadership amid global recognition from institutions like the IMF.

The decision follows a unanimous vote of confidence by the National Assembly leadership, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who highlighted Tinubu’s political sagacity in navigating economic turbulence. Akpabio claimed opposition lawmakers, including a Labour Party senator, had privately sought to defect to the APC, signaling Tinubu’s growing influence. Meanwhile, Progressive Governors Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma pledged to mobilize resources to secure Tinubu’s re-election, framing the endorsement as a strategic step to counter opposition realignments.

However, the Coalition of United Political Parties dismissed the APC’s move as a sign of fear amid public discontent over inflation and economic hardship. CUPP’s Secretary, Peter Ameh, argued the early endorsement reflects the ruling party’s disconnect from voters and vowed to resist any perceived manipulation of the 2027 polls. Critics argue Tinubu’s reforms, while lauded internationally, have exacerbated living costs for ordinary Nigerians, with insecurity persisting in regions plagued by insurgency and banditry.

Amid the political maneuvering, Tinubu expressed confidence in attracting more defectors from rival parties, declaring, You don’t blame people for bailing out of a sinking ship. His remarks came as APC leaders boasted of collapsing opposition structures, particularly in the South-South, where the PDP was described as a tattered umbrella. With the opposition fragmented and the APC consolidating power, the stage is set for a contentious battle over Tinubu’s legacy and Nigeria’s economic future.