By Kolawole Ojebisi
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said forging alliance by the opposition party will pose no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ambition in 2027.
The party stressed that its consistent triumphs at the poll over the years have weakened many politicians and turned them to spent forces.
The ruling party said this in reaction to the visit of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, to the Abeokuta, Ogun State home of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday “to discuss the political future of Nigeria.”
The parties involved held a closed-door meeting. While the details of their discussions remain undisclosed, sources close to the leaders suggested that the meeting was part of a larger effort to strategise ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Recall that ever since he publicly tore his People’s Democratic Party(PDP) membership card, Obasanjo, both a former military Head of State as well as an erstwhile democratically elected Civilian President, has been actively engaging various stakeholders to explore alternatives to the ruling APC and the opposition PDP.
The former President has recently been very critical of Tinubu’s government, decrying alleged corruption, increasing debt burden and poor response to public policy issues.
Kwankwaso, a pivotal figure in Kano State politics, wields significant political clout, while Duke, a former governor from the southern region, is expected to contribute his unique perspective on governance and national unity.
Though specifics of their conversation remain under wraps, Kwankwaso’s statement after the meeting hinted at a collective intention to challenge the existing political structure and foster a new direction for Nigeria’s political landscape.
Confirming the meeting via his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso stated, “I was pleased to be in the company of my friend, His Excellency Donald Duke, and other associates to pay a courtesy call on former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta.”
He added, “Deliberations on significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria, defined the conversation. We are grateful to Baba for his warm reception, support, and hospitality.”
But reacting to the Abeokuta closed door meeting and its purported purpose, the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, noted that whatever the reason for it, it won’t pose a threat to the APC continuity in power.
Ibrahim boasted that Tinubu’s political profile and relevance in contemporary politics had dwarfed the opposition figures and statesmen.
He said, “With due respect, I hold Obasanjo in high esteem. As a former President, ex-Head of State, and an elder statesman, I don’t want to take issues with him. But when it comes to the politics of Nigeria, particularly contemporary politics, Tinubu is not their mate.
“Tinubu is head and shoulders above them in modern politics in Nigeria. So the combination of Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Donald Duke, who was my schoolmate, does not present a threat to Tinubu. These are people who were trashed in the last election.
“This is not the first time Obasanjo is going to rally around someone, and that person is defeated. Remember, he supported (ex-President Goodluck) Jonathan, who later lost to Buhari. Obasanjo supported another candidate, Peter Obi, in the last election again and Tinubu trounced them.
“So they can have marathon meetings and meet till the end of time, they will not present any threat to the government of APC. Who among Kwankwaso, Obasanjo, Obi, Duke was not beaten? If they are bringing angels, it’s a different story. But if it is these same spent forces that will combine and meet, their meeting cannot bring any good outcome.”
Recall, that in the past few weeks, there have been increasing debates about the 2027 generation elections after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, canvassed for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for second term.
According to Akume, there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock until 2031, when Tinubu would have completed a second term.
But the opposition would have none of it, insisting that the ruling APC would be voted out from power come 2027.
