Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that his second term is secure, despite opposition efforts to unseat him in the 2027 election.
Akpabio made the statement late Wednesday during a special Iftar dinner organised by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in Abuja. The event was aimed at fostering unity among governors, National Assembly members, ministers, top government officials, and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Top leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday night turned their Iftar at Fraser Suites in Abuja into a platform for political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Iftar is the meal that Muslims eat to break their fast at sunset during Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
During Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that governors had invited the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to the event. However, he did not specify whether it was organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) or the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), which comprises solely APC governors.
Akpabio also revealed that 20 senators were selected to accompany the Senate leadership. He later listed their names, which included both APC lawmakers and opposition members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
Among those listed were Senators Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), Amos Yohanna (PDP, Adamawa North), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), Kelvin Chukwu (LP, Enugu East), Akpan Ekong Sampson (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central), Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South).
Others were Austine Akobundu (APC, Abia Central), Anthony Ani (APC, Ebonyi South), Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni (APC, Lagos Central), Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (APC, Delta South), Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), Ahmad Abdulhamid Malam Madori (APC, Jigawa North East), and Neda Nwoko (APC, Delta North), who was also sighted at the event.
‘We’ll come back in 2027’
Speaking at the Iftar gathering, Akpabio confidently asserted that APC would retain power in 2027 and expand its control across more states.
“We will come back in 2027, in Jesus’ name, Amen,” he declared.
“We will offer prayers for our party, that yes, indeed, victory shall be ours in 2027. Can we say a loud amen! And we will also pray for Mr. President that his second term is assured. Can we shout a loud amen!,” he said
He then called for a vote, saying, “Those in support of the motion that the APC should come back in 2027, say ‘aye,’ those against, say ‘nay’.” When the audience responded with a loud “aye,” Akpabio concluded, “The ayes have it.”
He also encouraged senators interested in running for governorship positions in 2027 to pursue their ambitions, citing Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, as an example of a senator who successfully transitioned to governorship.
APC leaders seize Iftar to tout achievements
The dinner, organised by the PGF and chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, became a political rally as APC leaders took turns to promote what they described as the “mega achievements” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in less than two years.
Governors in attendance included Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).
Also present were Senate President Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha.
Other notable figures included members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), former governors like ex-Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, APC state chairmen, and several members of the House of Representatives.
Early signs of APC’s 2027 campaign
Though Tinubu is yet to officially declare his re-election bid, his allies have been openly rallying support for a second term.
Recently, APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, urged northern politicians eyeing the presidency in 2027 to wait until 2031. Similarly, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, advised PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other northern aspirants to shelve their ambitions.
Two months ago, the APC held a mega rally in Kebbi State, themed “We Stand with Tinubu and Kauran Gwandu,” in support of Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris. The event saw a massive turnout, with banners promoting Tinubu’s projected second-term bid.
In Kaduna, APC stakeholders passed a vote of confidence in both Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for what they described as their “pro-people policies.” Meanwhile, Ganduje and Jibrin recently welcomed Atiku’s former support groups into the APC, reinforcing their strategy for 2027.
However, these early campaign moves have drawn criticism from opposition parties and political analysts, who argue that they violate the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
Uzodinma: ‘We’ll use political evangelism to win’
Governor Uzodinma, speaking at the event, said the APC would use “political evangelism” to overcome challenges ahead of 2027.
“The opposition’s move to wrest power from Tinubu will fail. Whatever you are seeing now has happened before in this country,” he said.
Uzodinma insisted that APC should be “celebrated for its giant strides” and stressed that the party remained resolute and prepared for future elections.
“We must deploy political evangelism. If you don’t say who you are, nobody will,” he added.
On governance, he said, “If the government is in crisis, the APC is in crisis; if the National Assembly is in crisis, the APC is in crisis. So, we must be proud of our identity – the APC.”
In his closing remarks, Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu described Tinubu’s presidency as the best choice Nigerians had made, urging them to support his re-election.
“The choice you make today determines what you become tomorrow,” Bagudu said.
Similarly, Finance Minister Wale Edun claimed that government policies were effective, citing a decline in food prices as proof. He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration.
Opposition senator distances self from APC
Meanwhile, one of the opposition senators who attended the event told Daily Trust that his presence did not indicate any affiliation with the APC.
Speaking anonymously, the senator said, “Some of their actions (APC leaders) are directed against political opponents. But this scenario is particularly dangerous, as a single provocation may trigger responses and escalate tensions.”
Asked whether he was considering defecting to the APC, he replied, “I have no intention of doing so.”