The recent vote of confidence President Bola Tinubu received from All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and party leaders has been met with skepticism and warnings from major opposition parties in Nigeria. These parties contend that such endorsements within the ruling party hold little sway over the electorate, particularly given the widespread discontent stemming from Tinubu’s economic reforms. They argue that the APC’s internal affirmation does not reflect the sentiments of Nigerians struggling with the impact of these policies, and predict that this disconnect will be evident in the 2027 elections.
The opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), have dismissed the APC’s vote of confidence as a hollow gesture. The PDP, through its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, characterized the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where the endorsement occurred, as a “sham” attended by politicians lacking substance. He pointed to the absence of key APC stakeholders from the meeting as evidence of deep divisions within the ruling party. Abdullahi further criticized the APC’s governance over the past decade, encompassing both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations, arguing that this period has alienated a significant portion of the Nigerian populace.
The PDP spokesperson expressed confidence that Nigerians would reject the APC in the 2027 elections, citing the hardship endured under the party’s leadership. He accused the APC of employing manipulative tactics to sow discord within the opposition, but asserted that these maneuvers would not succeed. Abdullahi pledged that the PDP would mount a robust challenge in 2027, aiming to “rescue” the country from what he described as oppression, ineptitude, and cluelessness under the APC.
The Labour Party echoed the PDP’s skepticism, with National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh emphasizing the prematurity of any party declaring victory in the 2027 elections. Ifoh argued that it was inappropriate for President Tinubu to be seeking re-election support before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had even established the electoral guidelines. He criticized the APC’s focus on securing power rather than addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians, pointing to the worsening economic conditions faced by many. Ifoh urged INEC to regulate the activities of political parties to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
The APC, however, maintains that the opposition’s criticism is irrelevant. Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, asserted that the president’s electoral fate rests solely with the Nigerian voters, who will assess his performance based on his achievements, not on the pronouncements of disgruntled political opponents. Duru expressed confidence that the APC’s track record and manifesto would resonate with the electorate, ultimately leading to Tinubu’s re-election. He emphasized that the party intends to present its accomplishments to the Nigerian people for their judgment.
In essence, the clashing perspectives highlight the deep political divisions within Nigeria. The opposition parties are banking on public dissatisfaction with the APC’s economic policies and perceived internal disarray to propel them to victory in 2027. Conversely, the APC is projecting confidence in its leader and its governance, believing that its achievements will ultimately outweigh the opposition’s criticisms. The 2027 elections promise to be a crucial test of the Nigerian electorate’s mood and their assessment of the incumbent administration’s performance. The intervening years will likely be marked by intense political maneuvering and public debate as the parties vie for the support of the Nigerian people.
