The debate over President Bola Tinubu’s prospects for a second term has intensified after the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed that recent waves of endorsements show his 2027 re-election is effectively assured.
Lagos APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo issued the statement on Tuesday in response to criticism from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP’s publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had alleged that the APC was “shopping for endorsements” as part of a wider effort to mask its insecurities.
Oladejo dismissed the claim, describing the PDP as a fractured party “in panic mode” and struggling to manage defections and internal divisions. He argued that the backing for Tinubu stemmed from his “bold reforms” and leadership style, adding: “When a man is destined for the throne, even his enemies clap unwillingly.”
He further accused the PDP of wasting 16 years in power before being voted out in 2015, contrasting that record with what he called Tinubu’s willingness to “bear the heavy burden of reforms.”
Analysts say the back-and-forth underscores the sharpening of Nigeria’s political battle lines two years into Tinubu’s presidency. While the APC projects confidence, the PDP faces the challenge of rebuilding credibility after a series of electoral losses.
Oladejo concluded that “2027 is a settled matter” for the APC, while predicting further decline for the PDP unless it redefines its strategy.
