Opposition parties and political stakeholders have criticised the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari, over his prediction that the APC would win the 2027 presidential election and remain in power beyond 2031.
Yari, a former Zamfara State governor, made the statement at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after returning from an overseas trip. He expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure a second term in 2027 and that the APC would retain the presidency after 2031.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who is also a member of the campaign council, similarly expressed confidence that the party would win the election and continue what he described as effective governance and improved security across the country.
The remarks have drawn criticism from opposition groups, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi’s Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and former presidential candidate, Chief Peter Ameh.
Yari spoke shortly after the Presidency unveiled the APC Presidential Campaign Council, headed by President Tinubu. Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, are among the council’s principal officials, while Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was appointed secretary.
The council has already faced criticism over the selection of some members, including serving government officials and individuals linked to unresolved allegations.
One contentious appointment is that of Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, as Deputy Director of Fund-raising. Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has threatened legal action, arguing that the appointment could create a conflict of interest.
The inclusion of former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, and former NSITF board chair, Ngozi Olejeme, has also attracted scrutiny over unresolved financial misconduct allegations. Former presidential adviser and APC chieftain, Babafemi Ojudu, has equally questioned the composition of the council.
Despite the criticism, Yari said the APC’s performance over the past three years would give President Tinubu the advantage in 2027.
He assured Nigerians that the party would honour its campaign promises, saying the APC was committed to keeping its word.
Yari also expressed optimism that the APC would remain the country’s dominant political party after Tinubu’s possible second term, saying he hoped the party would continue to lead Nigeria beyond 2031.
Ameh says Yari’s claim shows overconfidence
Former presidential candidate, Chief Peter Ameh, dismissed Yari’s prediction as evidence of overconfidence and an alleged belief that the APC could manipulate elections.
Ameh argued that the ruling party lacked sufficient genuine public support to win a free and fair election and predicted that the APC could suffer a fate similar to that of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015.
He also said Yari’s statement reflected a disconnect from the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.
ADC accuses Yari of trying to justify appointment
The African Democratic Congress accused Yari of attempting to justify his new position by making claims about the APC’s future electoral dominance.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Yari was among those misleading President Tinubu and recalled the PDP’s former claim that it would govern Nigeria for 60 years.
According to him, while the PDP was at least an established political party, he described the current APC structure as a “Special Purpose Vehicle.”
NDC, SDP and NNPP react
NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described Yari’s remarks as another example of political boasting, recalling the PDP’s earlier 60-year projection.
He said Nigerians would ultimately determine who governs the country through their votes.
The SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, also said the decision belonged to Nigerian voters and not Yari.
Aiyenigba pointed to recent political developments, particularly the Osun State governorship election, as evidence that voters were increasingly willing to use their ballots to determine their preferred leaders.
NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, described Yari’s statement as unfortunate, stressing that only the electorate could decide whether the APC deserved to remain in office until 2031.
PDP accuses Yari of being overzealous
The Peoples Democratic Party also dismissed Yari’s projection, saying the APC campaign chief appeared to be carried away by his new appointment.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said Yari should concentrate on delivering the responsibilities assigned to him by President Tinubu rather than making predictions about an election still months away.
He described the campaign director-general as being “overzealous” with his new position.
Okorie recalls PDP’s 60-year prediction
Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Chekwas Okorie, advised Yari to focus on campaigning for Tinubu rather than making predictions about the outcome of the 2027 election.
Okorie recalled that former PDP National Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, had previously predicted that the PDP would rule Nigeria for 60 years. He noted that the party later lost power and is now struggling politically.
The APGA chieftain said political leaders should not assume they control outcomes that ultimately depend on God and the electorate.
He also challenged the APC to demonstrate how well President Tinubu and APC governors had fulfilled their 2023 campaign promises.
Okorie particularly referred to Tinubu’s explanation of the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal, saying the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians had worsened without the expected relief becoming evident.
Defence Minister pledges commitment to APC campaign and security
Meanwhile, Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (retd.) has thanked President Tinubu and the APC leadership for appointing him Secretary I of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Musa described the appointment as a call to greater service and pledged to carry out his responsibilities with diligence and focus to support the party’s electoral campaign.
According to his Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung Babatunde, the minister assured party leaders, stakeholders and supporters nationwide of his commitment to the assignment.
Musa, however, stressed that his constitutional responsibility to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and safeguard the lives and property of citizens remained his primary duty.
He said national security would continue to receive top priority, adding that military operations, strategic reforms and collaboration among security agencies would continue with greater intensity.
The minister also urged APC members and patriotic Nigerians to remain united behind the administration, expressing confidence that the party would succeed at the polls while continuing to pursue governance and national security objectives.
