Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign Opens With Cross-Party Backing, Opposition Criticism

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, placing President Bola Tinubu’s record in office and his administration’s reforms at the centre of its re-election strategy while drawing support from prominent politicians outside the ruling party.

The inauguration took place on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, bringing together party leaders, governors, ministers and political figures from different parties under the theme, “Renewed Hope, Cooperative Federalism and Shared Prosperity.”

Among the notable figures pledging support for Tinubu were Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Anambra State Governor Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma also attended the event.

Tinubu, who formally inaugurated the council, urged its members to work towards securing victory in 2027 but cautioned that campaign activities must not distract him from governing the country. He asked to be excused from travelling across the country with campaigners, stressing that the responsibilities of the presidency would continue throughout the election period.

The President said he would still make time to address Nigerians directly, while campaign leaders coordinated mobilisation across states and local government areas. He also promised that state police would become a reality and expressed confidence that legislation to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly would eventually be realised.

Tinubu warned party members against complacency, telling them that their previous electoral success would not be enough unless they delivered votes in their respective wards during the next election. He described himself as the party’s “errand man” and pledged to remain committed to his promises and manifesto.

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda urged campaign officials to explain the administration’s record on infrastructure, including roads, power and gas projects, railways, ports, agricultural infrastructure and digital connectivity. He said the campaign must show how these investments and economic reforms could improve productivity, create jobs and translate into practical benefits for Nigerians.

Yilwatda also acknowledged the need to address the administration’s shortcomings, identifying the cost of living, insecurity, employment, education, healthcare, agricultural productivity and economic opportunities as issues the campaign must engage with honestly.

The council’s Director-General, former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, accepted the responsibility on behalf of its members and pledged to work towards Tinubu’s re-election. He said the campaign would be built around the President’s record and called on members to put aside personal ambitions in pursuit of their shared objective.

Wike, who said he learnt of his appointment as campaign director for Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory through a newspaper, promised to mobilise support for Tinubu in both areas. He maintained that he remained a PDP member and described himself as the party’s leader, while pledging that Rivers and the FCT would vote massively for the President.

Soludo also expressed support for Tinubu, arguing that the political gathering reflected an unusual level of cooperation among influential figures across party lines. He said APGA would stand behind the President, while Adeleke argued that four years was insufficient for Tinubu’s reforms to fully take effect.

Senate President Akpabio described the gathering as evidence of broad political alignment, while Speaker Tajudeen Abbas urged campaigners to respond to criticism with facts and arguments rather than insults. Vice President Shettima, meanwhile, criticised opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi over their economic proposals and public statements.

However, the inauguration also attracted criticism from opposition figures. Atiku, through his spokesman Phrank Shaibu, argued that the enlarged council could not shield the administration from public dissatisfaction over economic hardship. He also questioned the use of the Presidential Villa for a party political event.

The campaign organisation associated with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also condemned the council, describing it as a coalition of politicians that would not erase the administration’s challenges. It cited insecurity, rising living costs, unemployment and concerns about education, arguing that the government’s record should be judged by its impact on citizens.

The APC’s campaign council was initially constituted in August, with Tinubu as chairman, Shettima as vice chairman, Yari as Director-General and Uzodimma as secretary. A revised membership list subsequently added figures including Wike, Adeleke and Soludo.

With the council now inaugurated, the ruling party is preparing to take its message to voters ahead of the 2027 election, while opposition figures have made clear that the administration’s economic and security record will remain central to the contest.