The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has dismissed the ongoing opposition realignment aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election, describing it as a futile effort by politicians without a solid political base.
Ganduje’s remarks came in response to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s declaration that opposition leaders were uniting to replicate the coalition that led to the defeat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. Atiku, alongside other political heavyweights, made this statement at a press conference in Abuja, organized by the Concerned Leaders and Political Stakeholders in Nigeria.
Among those present at the conference were former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, former APC National Working Committee (NWC) member Salihu Lukman, and former APC National Chairmanship aspirant Soni Monidafe. Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was represented by Tanko Yinusa. Other notable figures in the coalition, such as former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, were absent but reportedly gave their blessings.
Despite the opposition’s efforts, Ganduje, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Oliver Okpala, asserted that Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 remains assured due to his strong performance since assuming office.
“Dr. Ganduje does not have any fear regarding the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027. Tinubu will surely emerge victorious because of his untrammelled performance since taking office as President of Nigeria,” the statement read. “Forget the recent political gatherings and rantings from some politicians who presently do not have any identifiable political base.”
Ganduje further criticized the opposition coalition, arguing that their conflicting political ideologies and personal ambitions would prevent them from reaching a consensus.
“Their gathering consists of people with different political ideologies and selfish political interests that can never agree on any issue politically. No amount of political arrangement or gang-up can stop the good people of Nigeria from re-electing Tinubu as President in 2027,” he added.
Similarly, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, dismissed the opposition movement as a “political gambit dead on arrival.” In a statement issued by his media aide, Seyi Olorunsola, Ata described Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai as “three elusive political wanderers” and asserted that Nigerians have moved past the era of political experiments.
Ata went on to criticize Atiku as a “serial contender” who has failed multiple times at the polls, El-Rufai as a “desperate power seeker,” and Obi as a divisive figure allegedly exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments against the current administration.
At the Abuja press conference, the opposition coalition also denounced the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
“This action is not only unlawful but also a clear subversion of democracy and an imposition of autocratic federal control over a duly elected state government,” the coalition stated. “We strongly condemn this development and call on all Nigerians of good conscience to resist this brazen assault on the Constitution of our country and institutions of our democracy.”
The group argued that President Tinubu’s proclamation, issued on March 18, 2025, was politically motivated and unfairly targeted Governor Siminalayi Fubara. They urged the judiciary to strike down the emergency rule, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for the arbitrary removal of elected governors in the future.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the 2027 election, both the ruling APC and the opposition coalition appear set for a fierce battle for Nigeria’s presidency.
Comments