National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has stated that President Bola Tinubu has no serious challenger in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election, asserting that Tinubu remains the most credible candidate.
The APC chieftain boasted that even if a new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the father of the president’s opponent, Tinubu will still emerge the winner of the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.
He dismissed potential challengers as ‘serial electoral losers’ and insisted the so-called northern forces against Tinubu were non-existent.
Quoting former Borno governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Basiru said, “The only two circumstances that can deprive Asiwaju from winning the 2027 election is if there is no election or if he does not contest.”
Naijaonpoint reports that the APC chieftain also dismissed reports labelling the ruling party as a terrorist organisation, describing such claims as false and a reflection of poor journalism.
“There is nowhere in the entire judgment that any political party in Nigeria, either the APC or any other one, was regarded as a terrorist party, but people just want headlines,” Basiru said in an interview with Sunday Sun.
He explained that the matter in question involved an asylum application abroad, where a petitioner claimed affiliation to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Even the reports that claimed the man joined APC in 2007, when APC was not in existence, should give enough doubts,” he added.
Reacting to allegations that the APC rigged the recent by-elections, Basiru maintained that the results reflected the party’s strength and mobilisation efforts.
“There is nothing like rigging an election. INEC declared APC the winner. We had 17 by-elections; APC won in 12, while opposition parties won in four,” he said.
He noted that the APC secured victories in states where it did not have governors, such as Taraba and Adamawa, while performing strongly in Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Kogi and Edo.
“Even in Anambra, where Peter Obi told the electorate to vote for the ADC, the Labour Party could not even get up to 260 votes,” he added.
Nigerians Not Hungry, Only Opposition Is – Basiru
Responding to claims that Nigerians are worse off, Basiru insisted that critics were only bitter over loss of power.
“Which Nigerians are suffering? More than 400,000 families have benefited from the NELFUND programme. Civil servants are benefiting. ASUU strikes have stopped. Kidney dialysis bills have been reduced. Opposition leaders are the ones hungry and thirsty for power,” he said.
He cited recent commendations from Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, and WTO boss Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tinubu’s economic reforms as proof of progress.
‘ADC Leaders Should Be Arrested For Impersonation’
On the opposition coalition being coordinated under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Basiru said the group lacked legitimacy.
“Visit the INEC website today and you will see that Ralph Nwosu is still the chairman of ADC. Those gallivanting as protem officers are not recognised by law. At best, they should be arrested for impersonating the leadership of a political party,” he said.
He accused some figures like David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Bolaji Abdullahi of engaging in a criminal offence by parading themselves as party officials.
Basiru also described Peter Obi as “a confusionist and a mischievous individual” for campaigning for ADC candidates while claiming to remain in the Labour Party.
Addressing claims that APC used money to sway voters in the by-election, Basiru said the party focused on mobilisation rather than inducement.
“Does money vote in an election? It is human beings who vote. Yes, we provided logistics for movement and refreshments, but that is done everywhere in the world,” he explained.
On the exit of former APC chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Basiru said the change was part of party dynamics and beneficial for balancing regional and religious representation.
“Every individual has their assets. One cannot doubt the sagacity of Ganduje. We also have the new chairman with robust academic and public service experience,” he said, adding that Ganduje still offers guidance and support to the party.
Muslim-Muslim Ticket
Basiru waved aside renewed debates about a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, saying Nigerians were more concerned about good governance.
“Our party is not a party of slogans but of real, concrete action. Nigerians don’t care about religion but about putting food on the table, access to education and healthcare. The Renewed Hope Agenda is working and succeeding in those areas,” the APC scribe added.
Tinubu’s Foreign Trips Yielding Results
On criticisms of the President’s frequent foreign trips, Basiru said Tinubu should even travel more.
“He is the salesman of Nigeria. His travels have yielded positive results in terms of foreign direct investment and global acceptability. We pray God gives him more vigour to travel and bring in more investments,” he said.
Osun Governorship Ambition
When asked about contesting the 2026 Osun governorship election, Basiru was cautious, saying his current focus was on strengthening the APC nationally.
“I am the National Secretary of the party. My job is to consolidate and lay a solid foundation for 2027. If the leadership puts me forward for governorship, getting the ticket will not be my worry,” he said.
On rumours of other aspirants gearing up to challenge him, he replied: “Do you challenge someone who has not purchased nomination forms? I never lobbied for past positions. Leadership will decide.”
Basiru described the upcoming Ekiti governorship election as “a walkover” for Governor Biodun Oyebanji, insisting that “there is no vacancy” in Ekiti Government House.
On speculations that Osun governor Ademola Adeleke may defect to the APC, Basiru said such decisions were beyond him.
“It is not my job to block or allow him. The leadership of the party will decide. I am a 100 per cent follower of President Tinubu. Whatever he says, I accept,” he declared.
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