Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement was announced on Thursday during a summit in Abuja, coinciding with the second anniversary of Tinubu’s presidency. The 73-year-old leader secured victory in the 2023 presidential race, despite legal challenges from opposition candidates who alleged electoral malpractice. Tinubu has consistently maintained that his win was legitimate.
APC leaders praised Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, citing the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange rate as key steps in reviving Nigeria’s economy. While these reforms have earned praise from international financial institutions, including the IMF and credit ratings agencies, they have also triggered a severe cost-of-living crisis at home.
APC National Chairperson Abdullahi Ganduje declared Tinubu the party’s sole candidate for 2027. “On behalf of the National Working Committee, I affirm the endorsements and declare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole presidential candidate,” Ganduje stated.
Tinubu is eligible to run for one more four-year term, in line with Nigeria’s constitutional two-term limit for presidents.
Despite ongoing criticism over the government’s handling of insecurity, including persistent militant violence and banditry, the opposition is viewed as fragmented and currently lacking the strength to pose a serious electoral threat. Several opposition politicians have recently defected to the APC, further consolidating the ruling party’s influence.
Tinubu, addressing the summit, expressed confidence that more defections to the APC were on the way. “That is the game,” he said.