The National Working Committee (NWC) of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to lead the campaign efforts for the party's candidates in the forthcoming general election. This move comes amid a face-off between APC governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his Rainbow Coalition. The coalition is supporting President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid while also backing candidates of other political parties.
The APC governors, led by the chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF) and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, had earlier rejected any political alliance that could undermine the party or its candidates. They vowed to support only candidates officially sponsored by the APC. According to Uzodimma, the governors would not participate in or endorse any alliance that could weaken the party or adversely affect its candidates.
The APC governors' declaration was seen as a response to Wike's Rainbow Coalition, which the FCT minister claims is focused on mobilizing support for Tinubu's re-election rather than supporting APC candidates in other elections. Wike has maintained that his support for Tinubu does not mean abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and he remains free to support candidates of his choice in other contests.
Wike criticized the APC governors for opposing the coalition, describing them as "politically lazy" and arguing that supporting a presidential candidate should not prevent parties from fielding candidates for governorship and legislative elections. The political disagreement has sparked tensions within the party, with the NWC taking a position that aligns with that of the APC governors.
The APC NWC, at its 195th meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno state, passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other candidates of the party for the 2027 general election. The committee also resolved to reconcile aggrieved leaders and members of the party to ensure unity of purpose as they head into the next year's polls.
According to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the party is strong, healthy, and prepared for the 2027 General Elections. The NWC's communiqué expressed confidence in the party's ability to secure victory for all its candidates. The party's strategic retreat and NWC meeting aimed to strengthen the party's position ahead of the elections.
The APC's move to campaign for all its candidates' victory is seen as a bid to present a united front ahead of the elections. The party's national strategic retreat and NWC meeting have provided a platform for the party to reaffirm its commitment to its candidates and re-elect President Tinubu.
Key points
- APC vows to campaign for all candidates' victory amid face-off between governors and minister Nyesom Wike.
