The All Progressives Congress has finally inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections, and there are lessons to learn from the inauguration.
- PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU IS A GOOD POLITICIAN
This is definitely different from being a good leader, but you can’t deny that Bola Tinubu is a good politician. He was able to gather the who-is-who in Nigerian politics in one room, for whatever that’s worth.
Interestingly, even political enemies believe in Bola Tinubu. An example is Minister Nyesom Wike, who does not believe in the APC governors’ position of top to bottom, but he was there. In fact, he will be coordinating Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, while Governor Hope Uzodimma was also there as Secretary of the Campaign Council.
It takes a great politician to align various interests in his favour. Tinubu appears to understand the dynamics of Nigerian politics and the importance of building relationships across political divides. Whether these relationships will translate into electoral victory is another question, but bringing such influential figures together is, in itself, a political statement.
- APC IS SERIOUS ABOUT WINNING 2027
See, the APC is in the race to win, and it is unapologetic about that fact. It has the resources, the state apparatus and the political structure, and it is using them without apologies.
The venue for the inauguration was the State House Complex, the very seat of government. It sends a signal that the party is serious about the election and is already putting its political machinery in motion.
So, for our opposition community, God help their soul if they must stand a chance. They must unite; if not, there is no chance.
The APC is not waiting for the opposition to put its house in order before it begins its preparations. While opposition parties are still battling internal divisions, leadership struggles and questions of alliances, the ruling party is assembling its team and preparing for the contest.
This is a lesson the opposition must take seriously. You cannot defeat a well-organised political structure with mere criticism, social media noise or individual presidential ambitions. There must be a strategy, coordination and a willingness to make sacrifices for a common goal.
- APC IS COURTING OTHER PARTIES TO WIN
The All Progressives Congress, for the first time in Nigeria’s political history, has presented a situation where opposition party leaders and governors are openly supporting a ruling party.
Nyesom Wike, a national leader of the PDP, was present at the inauguration. Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State was also there and spoke about supporting President Tinubu.
This is where Nigerian politics becomes interesting. Ordinarily, you would expect opposition party leaders and governors to be at the forefront of challenging the ruling party, but the political reality appears more complicated than that.
Tinubu’s approach seems to be about building a political coalition that goes beyond the APC. He understands that winning a presidential election is not only about the number of governors in your party but also about the relationships you build, the interests you accommodate and the political actors you bring into your corner.
When opposition figures openly express support for an incumbent president, it raises questions about the strength of their respective parties and the ability of the opposition to present a united front.
For the APC, such relationships could strengthen its political reach ahead of 2027. For the opposition, however, it presents a challenge that cannot be ignored.
The question is: if prominent political figures from opposition parties are willing to work with or support the ruling party, who exactly will lead the opposition’s battle in 2027?
Of course, political endorsements do not automatically translate into votes, and the support of an individual politician does not necessarily mean that all his followers will vote the same way. But in a country where political alliances and influential personalities play significant roles in elections, such developments cannot be dismissed.
CONCLUSION
The inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council offers important lessons about political strategy, power, alliances and the battle for 2027.
First, Bola Tinubu has demonstrated that he understands the game of politics and the importance of bringing different interests together. Second, the APC is not taking the 2027 election for granted. It is preparing early and mobilising its political structures. Third, the ruling party appears willing to build relationships beyond its formal membership to strengthen its chances.
For the opposition, the message is clear: unity is no longer a matter of convenience; it may be a matter of political survival.
If opposition parties cannot agree on a common strategy, manage their ambitions and convince Nigerians that they offer a credible alternative, the APC could enter the 2027 election with a significant political advantage.
However, the final decision still belongs to the Nigerian electorate. Political gatherings, endorsements and campaign councils may demonstrate organisation and influence, but they cannot replace the votes of Nigerians.
One thing is certain: the battle for 2027 has begun, and the APC appears determined to fight it on its own terms.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
