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…Adeleke, Soludo, Wike, Akpabio, Uzodimma Rally Support for Second-Term Bid
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has received a fresh boost for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, with governors, political leaders and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, pledging to mobilise support for the President ahead of the general election.
The endorsements came during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, on Wednesday in Abuja, where prominent political figures expressed confidence in Tinubu’s reform agenda and promised to take his message of transformation to Nigerians across the country.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who renewed his support for the President, declared that no force could stop the political movement backing Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
“Nobody can stop this movement. We shall dance all the way back to Aso Rock,” Adeleke said, expressing confidence in the President’s prospects in the 2027 presidential election.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also rallied support for Tinubu, insisting that the administration’s reforms had become visible to Nigerians and pledging that the campaign council would intensify efforts to communicate the government’s achievements to the electorate.
“Nigerians have seen your reforms, and we are solidly behind you. We will do our best to carry your message of transformation to all and sundry,” Akpabio said.
He further projected confidence in the APC’s electoral strength, declaring that political parties outside the coalition backing Tinubu would face a difficult contest.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo also endorsed the President’s re-election bid, describing Tinubu’s reform programme as a difficult but necessary course for the country.
Soludo said he believed there was an unusual level of political agreement that Tinubu deserved another term, while assuring the President of his continued partnership.
“There is no time in the history of Nigeria, to my knowledge, that there is a consensus in the political arena that one man deserves to be re-elected in this country,” the governor said.
He added that although the path Tinubu had chosen might be difficult, the reforms were necessary, declaring that he and his political camp would remain partners with the President.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma urged Tinubu not to allow the campaign season to distract him from the reforms his administration had initiated.
According to Uzodimma, the governors and other party leaders were prepared to shoulder the responsibility of selling the President’s record to Nigerians.
“Do not allow the campaign season to distract you from the reforms you have embarked on. Leave the heavy lifting of the campaign to us,” he told Tinubu, adding that “a good product sells itself.”
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, meanwhile, highlighted the party’s organisational strength, claiming that it possessed an extensive political structure capable of supporting the President’s re-election campaign.
“No political party has our structure. We have over 261,000 just party executives and 31 governors,” Yilwatda said, pointing to the party’s network as a major advantage in the contest ahead.
Wike, who described himself as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also declared support for Tinubu’s re-election, urging political leaders to demonstrate commitment by delivering electoral victories in their respective states.
The FCT minister said Tinubu had demonstrated leadership by confronting the country’s challenges rather than avoiding difficult decisions.
He predicted strong electoral support for the President in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, while warning political office holders against claiming victory without delivering results in their areas of responsibility.
“Rivers and FCT will vote massively for President Tinubu,” Wike declared.
“If you don't deliver your state and the President wins, don't say we have won,” he added, challenging party leaders and political allies to translate their declarations into votes.
The inauguration comes as political parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 general election, with the APC seeking to consolidate its position and secure a second term for Tinubu.
The campaign council is expected to coordinate political mobilisation, promote the administration’s policies and engage voters across the federation.
The public endorsements also underscore the breadth of the political alliances being assembled around Tinubu, including figures whose political affiliations differ from those of the ruling party.
However, the declarations of support at the inauguration do not by themselves establish the extent of Tinubu’s nationwide electoral backing. The strength of the APC’s coalition will ultimately be tested by its ability to mobilise voters and convert political endorsements into ballots at the polls.
