From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
History repeated itself last week when the crème de la crème stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) collectively adopted President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate of the ruling party, resolving to collapse all their political structures to support him for 2027 presidential election bid.
The gathering, under the umbrella of APC National Summit, was seen by many as an attempt to officially send warning signals to the opposition political parties that activities, kick-starting the preparations for President Tinubu’s re-election, have actually begun in earnest.
The event may, certainly, not come as any big surprise to many Nigerians. Former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari got similar endorsements in the past.
Perhaps, the only reason Tinubu’s own raised APC national summit raised some concerns, according to pundits, was because it came rather too early, just two years into the life of the four-year tenure of the current administration.
The Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) packaged the APC summit where participants, drawn from appointive and elective government officials, Principal Officers and members of the National Assembly, governors from the 22 States under the platform of APC Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), party administrators from the national, State, and local government levels, entertainment industry, came from every part of the country, East, West, North and South, to be part of the epoch-making political history.
Speaker after speaker left no one in doubt of what the presidency and the ruling party’s national leadership planned to achieve with the summit. The summit also featured sectorial scorecards chronicling President Tinubu’s modest achievements; the controversial defections to the ruling party, the widespread fears of Nigeria sliding into a one-party state, and insignificantly the escalating economic hardship in the country.
Chairman APC PGF, Hope Uzodimma, set the tone for the real business of the event when he formally moved a motion, seconded by his Kaduna counterpart, Ubah Sani, to call for the adoption of Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the presidential election.
The Imo governor noted that having done creditably well in the last two years, Tinubu deserves to be given an offer of first refusal for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
After cataloging Tinubu’s landmark feats, Uzodimma declared that the governors were united in their support for his re-election bid, emphasising: “For Nigeria to get to her destination faster in prosperity, the President should be used and adopted as our flag bearer for 2027 presidential election, for a second term in office.
“The APC governors are hereby charged to take responsibility of marketing our federal government policies, occupy the political space in their domains, and take responsibility for winning all elections in their states come 2027. It is, therefore, my humble pleasure, with total humility to God, to move that this august assembly adopt and concur with the position of PGF that Mr President carries our flag in 2027 and governors take responsibility for delivering this mandate. I so move as a motion,” he added.
The coast, interestingly, became clearer when Ganduje, officially sealed Tinubu’s endorsements from both the PGF and NASS caucus.
Expectedly, he was at his best in rallying support, and praise-singing the President. This is even as he warned party members of the daunting responsibility ahead of them in the fierce battle to actualize the mission of re-electing President Tinubu in 2027.
While adopting him as the party’s sole candidate, the APC boss, said: “I would like to once more appreciate our leader and mentor, Bola Tinubu, for all the modest successes he recorded in just two years under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“I would like to also urge all participants to give a standing ovation to him as an endorsement to contest the 2027 general election. As the only body authorised to field any candidate, I hereby affirm the various endorsements and declare President Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of APC,” he said.
The former Kano governor was however emphatic in explaining how the party intends to actualize the plans of retaining the ticket, noting that; “APC is deploying early engagement strategies by strengthening state chapters, training polling unit agents and legal teams, as well as mobilising youths and women at the grassroots.”
“We are committed to winning fairly, decisively, and strategically. The off-season governorship contests are not just about states; they are a reflection of our national momentum and a rehearsal for total victory in 2027. Our successive victories at the presidential level, legislative dominance, and control of the majority of Nigerian states and local governments, affirm the trust and confidence Nigerians continue to place in us,” he argued.
And, conscious of the daunting challenges ahead in transforming their words into actions, Ganduje had made a clarion call for unity in the party and deployment of machinery to actualize the party’s target in 2027.
“The journey is far from over,” he warned, explaining: “We must not become unworried. Now is the time to deepen our grassroots mobilisation, embrace party discipline, and support the President’s agenda with solid loyalty. Let us resist internal sabotage and remain focused. Let us engage our communities, listen to the people, and build a political structure that will endure beyond election cycles.”
“As we reflect on the journey so far, let us renew our commitment to the ideals that brought us together. Let us unite behind our leaders, especially Mr. President, support our policies and vision, and deliver the Renewed Hope that every Nigerian deserves. Let us return to our constituencies as ambassadors of the Renewed Hope Agenda and apostles of party renewal.
“I believe with unity, clarity of purpose, and hard work, the APC will not only deliver in 2027, but also deepen democracy, entrench equity, and expand the frontiers of development in Nigeria. I must stress this truth: we cannot go into the future divided, unprepared, or reactive.
“The challenges of our nation require a cohesive, disciplined, and ideologically sound party. Our goal must not only be to win elections, but to lead with purpose, to earn the trust of Nigerians continuously, and to inspire belief in governance again,” he warned.
As if Ganduje’s cautions to brace up for the battle ahead was not enough, Senate President, Akpabio, equally bluntly warned President Tinubu not to deceive himself thinking that securing a second-term victory ticket would be a stroll into the park.
He doubted the sincerity of the party supporters, describing the uncertainty in politics as a game of witchcraft whose night meeting could change the direction of an agreement already reached during the daytime.
“Let me congratulate the party for organising this summit because it gathered heavyweight chieftains of the party. The party’s leadership has been able to bring all of us together. You struggled in 2023 when many promised you votes during those rallies held across the country, but when the final votes were announced you could not even get 25 per cent in many of those states that gave you assurances.”
“There is no need for eloquent speeches, rather let the results that will come in the 2027 election reflect the actions and speeches we have delivered here today. We must note that in politics it is not over until it is over. Mr President, you still have enemies because it is the tree with the sweetest fruits that attracts the highest number of stones. Everything said here confirms that you are on course.
“You did it in Lagos and you are doing it in Nigeria and even Abuja, transforming the FCT that even the diplomats have confirmed. The economy and every other thing have changed but the reality is that we are not there yet. Mischief makers are still meeting at night.
Politics is a game of witchcraft, they meet at night and things change in the daytime. Don’t believe me and go to sleep when I promise you that I will deliver South-South votes to you because I will be telling you a lie. We still have work to do,” Akpabio warned.
Expectedly, President Tinubu did not disappoint in accepting his adoption. He described himself as a man who knows the road, just as he dismissed the outcry that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party State with an expensive witticism on the opposition parties.
He described them as sinking ships without provision of any life jackets for the occupants of their ships. In a moment that electrified the Banquet Hall, Tinubu had enthusiastically responded to a voice from the crowd which shouted, “Follow who know road,” with the reply; “I know road. And we will lead you on to that Promised Land.”
Tinubu further said; “I owe you a whole world of gratitude for the endorsements today and the ‘carry go’ inspiration. The resuscitation of the Nigerian economy is on course, it is here. The hope is standing before you. Take it on. Nigeria will be industrialised; we will achieve our goals. If only in the first two years we are where we are today, then the next two years will be great. We have the mission, we have the vision.”
And responding to the concerns about APC’s dominance, Tinubu described the fears of a one-party system as misplaced, despite raising similar alarm previously.
“To those saying that one-party system is no good, is one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians? Where do they stand? You don’t blame people bailing out of a sinking ship when they have no life jacket,” Tinubu said.
The endorsements and the entire summit, expectedly, have continued to generate concerns and criticisms from Nigerians, with some expressing anger that the ruling party has abandoned governance in pursuit of the second-term bid.
They claimed that the clamour for a second term sole ticket has diverted their attention from issues like the solution to the crumbling oil price, how to push back the resurgence of rampaging terrorists, and the solution to improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.
Aligning with the perception, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) warned that Nigerians will definitely reject the ruling party in the 2027 presidential poll.
Its national Secretary, High Chief Peter Ameh, had frowned at the adoption, just two years into Tinubu’s term, claiming that it signals deep uneasiness within the APC camp amid widespread public dissatisfaction with the harsh economic realities facing the country, warning that; “we wish to make it clear that the events of the 2023 elections were merely a precursor to the collective resolve of the people. We stand united in our commitment to resist any attempts to manipulate, steal, or rig the 2027 elections. The Nigerian electorate will not be silenced, and we will ensure that our voices are heard through the power of our votes.
“We call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and steadfast in defending our democracy. The 2027 elections will be a defining moment for our nation, and we will not allow people’s will to be subverted,” the CUPP noted.