Less than two years into Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have already begun campaigning for his re-election in 2027.
Although neither the party nor the president has officially launched a re-election campaign, prominent APC figures, including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, have publicly endorsed Tinubu for a second term.
Recently, while hosting APC support groups at the party’s headquarters in Abuja, Ganduje urged northern politicians eyeing the presidency in 2027 to postpone their ambitions until 2031, after Tinubu’s anticipated second term.
Similarly, Akume, speaking on a TVC program, advised former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, along with other northern aspirants, to forgo the 2027 race.
Signs of an early re-election campaign have surfaced in Kaduna, Kebbi, and Kwara states, with pro-Tinubu billboards appearing in multiple locations across Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This development has sparked criticism from opposition parties and political analysts, who argue that such premature campaigning violates the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Legal experts and commentators warn that these actions undermine democracy, the rule of law, and electoral discipline.
Last month, the APC officially launched its re-election campaign in Kebbi State for both President Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris ahead of the 2027 elections.
The mega rally, held at the Birnin Kebbi township stadium, saw a massive turnout, with supporters brandishing banners and posters promoting Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Attendees included Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Governor Nasir Idris, House of Representatives member and Tinubu ally James Abiodun Faleke, Minister of State for Education Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and other APC leaders.
Branded under the slogan “We Stand with Tinubu and Kauran Gwandu,” the rally featured strong endorsements. Bagudu praised Tinubu’s administration, stating, “The president has done so much to improve Nigeria.
He has fulfilled his campaign promises to Kebbi, and I am proud to be associated with him.”
He also announced a N450 million donation to Kebbi’s 225 wards for food distribution ahead of Ramadan, urging continued support for the APC-led government.
Governor Idris echoed this sentiment, declaring, “The people of Kebbi stand firmly with President Tinubu because he has brought progress and development to our state.”
Following the Kebbi event, APC leaders—including Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari—endorsed Tinubu’s re-election during an agriculture and human capital development empowerment program in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Last week, APC stakeholders in Kaduna State also passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, commending their “exemplary leadership and pro-people policies.”
According to a statement from the party’s state secretary, Yahaya Baba Pate, the endorsement was made at a meeting held at the Kaduna State Liaison Office in Abuja, following a similar endorsement by the state’s 255 councillors.
Over the weekend, during a reception hosted by Ganduje and Senator Barau Jibrin, members of Atiku Abubakar’s support groups from 19 northern states announced their defection to the APC, pledging to work toward Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
But reacting, Paul Ibe, the spokesman of Atiku in a chat with Daily Trust yesterday said that the individuals “are unknown to us.”
According to him: “We have groups we’ve been working with, and we are still working with those support groups. Anybody can claim anything for whatever it is they are doing it for, but we know clearly that the Tinubu administration has weaponized poverty, so all they are doing is that everybody survives through them, so probably it’s a furtherance of that goal,” he alleged.
On the early campaigns, he said, “it is unfortunate and clearly shows that they don’t have anything to offer. One would have thought for now the focus would be on governance; on how they could redeem themselves and make amends for the mess that they have created.
“But that is typical of APC. They are more used to politics than governance, and it clearly shows that Nigeria will continue to suffer for their inhumane policies”, he said.
A PDP National Executive Committee member, Timothy Osadolor, said 2027 elections might be compromised if APC’s actions go unchecked.
Osadolor, who is also the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, said: “When those in power violate the law, it becomes a recipe for disaster. If you go around Abuja, especially from the airport, you will see billboards of the president and his wife already campaigning for 2027. Who even knows what will happen next year or next week?
“If Nigerians do not demand constitutional order now, 2027 will be a charade. Being in government does not give a party the right to impunity. Previous presidents have respected electoral laws, but this administration bypasses the process, undermining Nigerians’ intelligence”, he said.
Daily Trust recalls a similar situation during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term. In September 2017, the APC launched its campaign for Buhari’s 2019 re-election.
Similarly, in August 2017, his supporters opened a South-West campaign office in Ibadan, even before the official start of the electioneering season.
A comparable instance took place under former President Goodluck Jonathan when the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) organized zonal rallies, urging him to run for re-election ahead of the formal campaign period.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
