A few All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have started running for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. Top APC leaders, such as National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, have publicly endorsed Tinubu’s ambition for a second term, despite the fact that the party and the president have not formally launched the campaign.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Speaking to support organizations at the APC headquarters in Abuja, Ganduje suggested that Northern leaders who intended to run for president in 2027 hold off until 2031. He stated unequivocally that Tinubu ought to be permitted to serve two terms. Akume also called on former Vice President and PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar, as well as other northern leaders, to resign in 2027 in a TVC interview.
In addition to political leaders’ remarks, early campaign activity have been observed in the states of Kaduna, Kebbi, and Kwara. Elements of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have also seen billboards endorsing Tinubu’s reelection. Opposition parties and political analysts contend that the development of these early campaigns is in violation of the 1999 Constitution (as modified) and the Electoral Act, which has caused controversy.
According to legal experts, the early campaign may jeopardize election discipline and democracy. In accordance with Electoral Act 2022 Section 94(1): “For the purposes of this Act, each political party’s public campaigning period will begin 150 days before the election day and conclude 24 hours before that day.” Furthermore, according to subsection 2, any political party that engages in campaigning beyond the permitted time frame—whether through media ads or other channels—commits a crime and faces a fine of up to N500,000.
A candidate and his or her party must also “campaign for the elections in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be determined by the Commission,” according to Section 95(1). APC recently staged a sizable demonstration in Kebbi State to support Governor Nasir Idris and President Tinubu in front of the 2027 elections, despite these legal issues.
Prominent individuals including Senator Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Governor Nasir Idris; James Abiodun Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives and an ally of Tinubu; and Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, participated in the rally, which was held at the Birnin Kebbi Township Stadium. Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari were among the APC leaders that advocated for Tinubu’s reelection during an empowerment event in Ilorin, Kwara State, after the Kebbi rally.
APC stakeholders in Kaduna State also convened to commend President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s leadership and policies and give a vote of confidence in them. This came after 255 local council members in the state gave their support in a similar manner. Additionally, members of Atiku Abubakar’s support organizations from 19 northern states defected to the APC during a banquet given by Ganduje and Senator Barau Jibrin over the weekend. “Work for the continuation of Tinubu’s administration in 2027,” the defectors vowed.
Early campaigns by supporters of a sitting president have happened before. During the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari, comparable actions occurred. Supporters of the APC launched their 2019 reelection campaign in September 2017. A South-West campaign office was also established in Ibadan by Buhari’s supporters in August 2017 ahead of the formal election season. The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) also organized zonal demonstrations during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to run for reelection well in advance of official campaigns.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
