By Olukayode Oke
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| President Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
Eleven state chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have pledged a staggering 15.2 million votes to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, marking a robust show of support as the party intensifies its grassroots mobilisation. The commitment, announced on 27 July 2025, spans Nigeria’s North Central, South-South, and South-West regions, with state leaders citing Tinubu’s leadership and strategic appointments as key motivators for their ambitious targets.
The North Central zone, encompassing Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau, leads the charge with a promise of six million votes. This pledge follows President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, a Plateau native, as the APC National Chairman on 24 July 2025, reinstating the party’s leadership to the region. Saleh Zazzaga, Chairman of the APC Forum, expressed unwavering confidence, stating, “President Bola Tinubu and the APC should have no concerns about North Central votes in 2027. The region is already in the bag. Our promise to deliver six million votes is guaranteed.” In Benue, the APC aims to recruit five million members and deliver two million votes, with spokesman James Orngunga noting that Tinubu’s support has shifted public sentiment despite the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy. “He’ll win with a wide margin,” Orngunga declared.
In the South-South, Akwa Ibom’s APC has set an audacious goal of 3.5 million votes, tripling the number secured in 2023. The state’s party spokesperson highlighted ongoing registration drives, stating, “At the end of the registration process, we expect no less than 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu’s re-election.” Similarly, Edo State’s APC, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, committed to 2.5 million votes. Publicity Secretary Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie attributed this target to a surge in membership, noting, “With mass defections from other parties, our membership is expected to quadruple. The other parties in the state are no longer in existence.”
In the South-West, Oyo and Ekiti chapters have collectively pledged 1.2 million votes. Oyo’s APC, under spokesperson Olawale Sadare, aims to secure over 800,000 votes—double its 2023 figure—through aggressive door-to-door campaigns, media outreach, and a membership target of 220,000 to 250,000. In Ekiti, where Tinubu garnered 201,494 votes in 2023, APC spokesperson Segun Dipe expressed confidence in delivering at least 400,000 votes, citing the president’s performance and Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s achievements. “His performance and Governor Oyebanji’s delivery are already speaking for us,” Dipe said.
The pledges come as the APC ramps up its membership drive, with online registration already underway in states like Edo, Ekiti, and Akwa Ibom. At the party’s 14th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasised the need for grassroots expansion and state-level support. New APC Chairman Yilwatda echoed this, vowing to unite the party and attract opposition members, stating, “We have 23 governors, and we are still counting. We’ll do the legwork, we’ll bring them in.” The party’s strategy includes leveraging digital platforms and events like Ekiti’s planned mega adoption event for Tinubu and Oyebanji.
However, the ambitious targets have sparked mixed reactions. While APC leaders project confidence, some Nigerians, as seen in posts on X, question the feasibility of these figures, pointing to challenges like insecurity in the North Central zone and economic hardships. Critics also note the opposition’s recent consolidation, with Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi forming the African Democratic Congress to challenge Tinubu in 2027. Despite this, the APC remains optimistic, dismissing the coalition’s threat and highlighting its dominance with 23 governors and 70 senators.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, the APC’s coordinated efforts signal a determined push to solidify Tinubu’s mandate. With mass registration in full swing and state chapters mobilising aggressively, the party aims to translate its pledges into a landslide victory, banking on Tinubu’s reforms and regional loyalty to secure a second term.
Source: Govima
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