President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's return from his working leave has set the stage for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shift its 2027 campaign into higher gear. The APC governors will commence campaigns immediately, according to Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council. Uzodimma made this statement after visiting President Tinubu in Lagos.
During President Tinubu's working leave, the PCC team, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, visited four key traditional rulers for consultation ahead of the inauguration of public rallies for the President's reelection. The traditional rulers visited were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Oba of Benin, Ewuare II; and Shehu of Borno, Abubakar ibn el-Kanemi.
Uzodimma briefed President Tinubu on developments in the country during his absence and the activities of APC governors. He said the meeting reviewed efforts by the PGF to communicate the achievements and policies of the administration to Nigerians ahead of the commencement of political mobilisation. Uzodimma stated that the President has been informed about the happenings in the country and the efforts of the governors.
The PGF chairman said the governors had taken their cue from Tinubu's Independence Day broadcast and would focus not only on promoting the administration's reforms but ensuring that Nigerians directly experienced their benefits. The reform programmes had moved beyond implementation to the stage where the gains must translate into improved living conditions for citizens.
Uzodimma cited the deployment of compressed natural gas-powered buses as an example, saying reduced operating costs should lead to lower transport fares for commuters. He urged transport operators to pass the savings from cheaper CNG to passengers rather than retain the entire benefit. Uzodimma also said APC governors would be required to demonstrate the impact of the reforms at the grassroots.
Minister of Works David Umahi projected that President Tinubu would secure substantially more votes in the Southeast in the 2027 presidential election than in 2023. Umahi said the Southeast had legitimate grievances over perceived marginalisation under previous administrations but argued that Tinubu had altered the situation through appointments and infrastructure development.
Umahi predicted that Tinubu would "harvest a lot of votes" in the Southeast in 2027 and expressed confidence that the APC would win all five states in the region. He dismissed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi as a threat to Tinubu, saying the former Anambra governor was not the only presidential contender from the region.
Key points
- APC governors to commence campaigns immediately following President Tinubu's return from leave.
- President Tinubu's reforms have led to fiscal gains for states, according to Hope Uzodimma.
- Minister of Works David Umahi predicts a dramatic improvement in the APC's performance in the Southeast in the 2027 presidential election.
