ABUJA, NIGERIA — Senator Abubakar Yusuf, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned President Bola Tinubu against over-reliance on support from APC governors in the run-up to the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Channels Television, the lawmaker expressed concern that several governors who have recently joined the ruling party from other political parties lack genuine popularity among voters.
Senator Yusuf argued that the APC’s likely victory in 2027 would stem more from the absence of a united opposition than from the current administration’s performance. “I would want to say APC will win the 2027 presidential election not because the government of Asiwaju Tinubu has performed, but because there is no opposition,” he stated. He noted that while individual opposition figures remain credible, they have yet to form a cohesive team capable of challenging the ruling party.
The senator also cautioned against potential internal crises within the APC, particularly if the party’s primary elections are not conducted transparently. He warned that insisting on automatic tickets for incumbents could drive members to defect to other parties, while failing to ensure free and fair primaries could trigger “implosions” within the party. “There will be implosions, no doubt about it, if they refuse to allow a free and fair election,” Yusuf said.
He urged President Tinubu to stand firm and not depend solely on the support of APC governors, many of whom, he claimed, are not genuinely popular with the electorate. The lawmaker emphasized that intra-party contradictions—between the APC leadership, the Renewed Hope Organization, governors, and ordinary citizens—could intensify if the primaries are not handled fairly.
Yusuf’s remarks highlight growing concerns within the ruling party about internal cohesion and the potential for defections ahead of the next election cycle. As the political landscape evolves, the APC’s ability to manage these internal dynamics and deliver on its electoral promises will be closely watched by both supporters and critics.
