2027: Tinubu Attracting Former Political Rivals, Says APC Chieftain

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is attracting support from politicians across party lines ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso said on Thursday that the participation of politicians from different political parties in Tinubu’s re-election campaign indicated that the President’s political support base was extending beyond the ruling APC.

He made the remarks while commenting on the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign council, describing the development as evidence of a growing convergence of political interests around Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

According to him, the presence of politicians from parties with different political orientations demonstrated that the President was attracting individuals who had previously disagreed on political matters but were now willing to work together towards a common objective.

“To me, the inauguration of the Campaign Council is like a congregation celebrating the re-election of President Tinubu back to office,” he said.

Kwankwaso specifically cited the participation of politicians associated with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party as evidence of what he described as an expanding coalition of support for the President.

He argued that the coming together of political figures from different backgrounds was significant because some of them had previously maintained divergent positions and had not been expected to cooperate politically.

“It has never happened in Nigeria’s political history that one man could attract nearly all opposition parties, not only opposition politicians, but people who have never agreed to sit together yet, because of Tinubu, they have accepted to come on board and pursue a common goal,” Kwankwaso said.

His comments come as political parties and their leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with the ruling APC seeking to consolidate its political base while opposition parties continue to debate their strategies and possible alliances.

The APC chieftain also defended Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that the President should be given another term to consolidate the reforms introduced by his administration.

He acknowledged that the country had faced economic difficulties but maintained that the ongoing reforms should be considered within the context of the challenges confronting Nigeria and the wider global economy.

Kwankwaso referenced the views expressed by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, and other political leaders, saying their assessments reflected an understanding of the complexities of managing the Nigerian economy.

He maintained that the debate surrounding the 2027 election should extend beyond the President’s political future to include the direction of the country’s economic policies and the need for continuity in implementing reforms.

According to him, another term for Tinubu would provide an opportunity for the administration to consolidate its economic agenda and pursue its stated objectives.

The APC chieftain’s position reflects the ruling party’s broader argument for policy continuity as the next general election approaches. However, the extent to which the reported cross-party participation translates into sustained political support will depend on the commitments of the individual politicians and the positions of their respective parties.

The 2027 election is expected to provide a platform for competing political parties to present their records, economic proposals and plans for addressing the concerns of Nigerians.

For Tinubu and the APC, the challenge will be to translate the support claimed by party leaders into broader public confidence, particularly as voters assess the effects of the administration’s economic reforms on living costs, employment, investment and household welfare.

Kwankwaso, however, expressed confidence that the participation of politicians from different political backgrounds in the President’s re-election campaign signalled a growing willingness among political actors to work together in support of Tinubu’s second-term bid.