Ahead of the 2027 poll, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of the party.
The decision widely endorsed by members of the Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje led national working committee (NWC) came against the backdrop of the position by the 22 member progressive governors forum (PGF) and both chambers of the national Assembly at the start of the national summit Thursday of party stakeholders held at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Ganduje warned against friction and division among the ranks of the party across the country, even as he canvassed support for the implementation of the renewed agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Ganduje remarked that the party cannot go into the 2027 poll divided, unprepared, or reactive, adding it behooves party stalwarts to ensure a cohesive, disciplined, and ideologically sound party.
“Our goal must not only be to win elections, but to lead with purpose, to earn the trust of Nigerians continuously, and to inspire belief in governance again,” he said.
Ganduje, who eulogized the developmental strides recorded under the President Tinubu-led administration, noted that he, alongside members of the national working committee (NWC), have gradually transformed the APC from an electoral force into a governing institution.
He said APC’s successive victories at the presidential level, legislative dominance, and control of the majority of Nigerian states and local governments affirm the trust and confidence Nigerians continue to place in the party.
“When I assumed office as the National Chairman of the APC, I was well aware of the challenges ahead: internal rifts, structural inconsistencies, external distractions, and ideological empress. But with focus, commitment, and collective effort, especially with the support of Mr. President, we are gradually stabilizing the ship, reuniting the fold, and now, we are setting the party towards a clear and coordinated national vision,” he said.
“Thanks to Mr. President, today, we are the ruling party in twenty-two (22) states, controlling the National Assembly, and dominating local government administration in many parts of the country.
“Under my leadership, we have launched the Progressive Institute, which now serves as our ideological hub; a centre for training, policy research, and strategic party development. Most importantly, we have ensured seamless party-government alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are currently working on a digital membership database for proper identification and inclusion of every member; a modern, transparent, and inclusive party system.”
Ganduje described the leading opposition peoples democratic party (PDP) as a party that is not only gasping for breath but rocked by leadership crises, lack of ideology, and serial defections which have reduced it to a shadow of its former self.
The Kano-born politician assured that the APC will continue to grow, not out of desperation, but because of its record of performance, its strategic leadership, and its resonance with the aspirations of Nigerians.
