By George Omagbemi
Opposition political parties and other stakeholders have criticised the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Abdul’Aziz Yari, after he expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would win the 2027 presidential election and that the APC would remain in power beyond 2031.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, made the remarks at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after returning from an overseas trip. He said he was confident that Tinubu would secure a second term and prayed that the APC would remain the party leading Nigeria after the President’s possible second tenure.
The statement immediately drew reactions from opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Former presidential candidate Peter Ameh dismissed Yari’s projection as overconfidence and argued that the APC could suffer a fate similar to that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which lost power in 2015.
Ameh also accused the APC campaign leadership of being disconnected from the economic difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians. These are political criticisms and should be treated as statements attributed to Ameh rather than established facts.
Yari, however, defended the APC’s record and expressed confidence that the party would fulfil its campaign promises. He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Tinubu administration, while praying for wisdom for the President.
The controversy comes barely a day after the Presidency unveiled the APC’s 2027 campaign council, with Yari appointed Director-General and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma named Secretary.
The campaign council has already attracted criticism over the inclusion of some serving public officials and former government officials, adding another layer to the political debate surrounding the APC’s preparations for 2027.
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