Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Nigeria’s economic powerhouse Lagos State, has publicly committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 elections. The announcement comes amid speculation about Ambode’s political future, as he firmly denied rumors of plans to contest the Lagos governorship under the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a signed statement circulated late Wednesday, Ambode reiterated his “absolute and unshakable loyalty” to Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing claims of a defection as baseless. “I stand solidly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC,” he declared, framing the president as a “proven achiever” whose administration has driven reforms in pension systems, youth empowerment, education funding, and economic policy. Ambode, who governed Lagos from 2015 to 2019, credited Tinubu’s leadership for advancing Nigeria’s democratic progress, vowing collective efforts to secure an APC victory in 2027 to “deliver dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.”
The statement marks a notable shift in tone for Ambode, whose relationship with Tinubu—a long-standing political mentor and former Lagos governor—soured ahead of the 2019 elections. At the time, internal party disputes led the APC’s Lagos leadership to replace Ambode with the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, effectively ending his tenure after one term. Observers view Ambode’s renewed allegiance as a strategic realignment, potentially mending past rifts within Nigeria’s dominant political bloc.
While the former governor did not address the specifics of his role in Tinubu’s 2027 campaign, his endorsement underscores the president’s efforts to consolidate support ahead of a contentious election cycle. Tinubu, elected in 2023, faces mounting pressure over economic challenges, including inflation and currency instability, though Ambode praised his “result-oriented” policies as foundational for national growth.
The African Democratic Congress has yet to comment on Ambode’s denial of affiliation. Political analysts suggest his clarification aims to quash speculation about divided loyalties, reaffirming the APC’s influence in Lagos—a state pivotal to securing electoral victories at the national level. Ambode’s trajectory remains a focal point in Nigerian politics, reflecting both the enduring influence of party machinery and the volatility of alliances in the country’s competitive democratic landscape.
