A senior member of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dotun Babayemi, has dismissed the prospect of any organized opposition derailing President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, declaring such efforts “doomed to fail.” Babayemi, an APC gubernatorial aspirant in Osun State, made the remarks during a series of campaign engagements in Ayedire Local Government on Sunday, framing Tinubu’s potential second term as both inevitable and critical to national stability.
Speaking to supporters and party members, Babayemi asserted that Tinubu’s administration had laid a foundation for progress through policies under its Renewed Hope Agenda, citing unspecified reforms he claimed were already yielding results. “The president is breaking new ground with initiatives that will tangibly benefit Nigerians during a second term,” he said, arguing that continued leadership under Tinubu would consolidate economic reforms and ensure stability.
While Nigeria faces significant economic headwinds—including inflation and currency volatility—the APC chieftain emphasized party unity, urging members to prioritize Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of Osun’s 2026 gubernatorial race. He described coordinated efforts by local APC chapters to secure victories in both elections, though details of these strategies were not disclosed.
Babayemi also called for heightened voter mobilization ahead of upcoming registration drives by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing the importance of expanding the party’s voter base. His comments come amid broader political jockeying within the APC, as Tinubu approaches the midpoint of his first term following a contentious 2023 election.
While international observers have noted challenges in implementing Tinubu’s reforms, Babayemi’s speech reflects growing confidence within the ruling party as it prepares for future electoral battles. Analysts suggest such early posturing underscores the APC’s focus on consolidating power in southwest Nigeria, a key political stronghold, while positioning Tinubu as a stabilizing force amid regional and economic uncertainties.
