The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Nigeria’s other political parties that it will be difficult to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The ruling party also encouraged people not to get too excited about Kamala Harris’ defeat in the US presidential race.
In response, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifo, praised the US election, which was watched worldwide, as a true test of democracy.
While saying that the Independent National Electoral Commission has much to learn from the just finished poll, Ifoh said it was interesting to note how the American voting public ignored the incumbency issue, which is still a ‘huge deal’ in Africa, notably Nigeria’s election system.
The spokesman for the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ladipo Johnson, also reacted. However, the US electoral system is complex and has come a long way. I wonder when Nigeria will end the era of tight-tight leaders using the power of incumbency and security apparatus to intimidate the opposition.
But the APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, warned the opposition not to get carried away with the outcome of the US election, saying the electoral processes in the two countries are different.
The APC spokesman expressed conviction that by the time Nigerians begin to reap the rewards of the president’s economic reforms, they will applaud and urge him to continue.
While stating that the party is not losing sleep over the threat, the politician warned that the country’s affairs would not be left in the hands of the opposition, many of whom were still struggling with a leadership crisis.
He said, “With the way and manner this administration of APC is working assiduously, bringing in new reforms and changes that are painful initially, we will reap the gains and fruits in the long run.
“We expect to start seeing the fruits of these reforms right around the time of the election. That should be around 2026 and 2027. It is at that time people will start clapping for the party and the president.
“It will be almost impossible for someone to come from the outside, particularly an outsider that has failed the country before; an outsider that cannot contain its own crisis, to think of defeating the incumbent. It will be very difficult. The APC and the president are very much aware of this expectation and shenanigans of the opposition.
“But it is not to say that the party and the president are sleeping. No, they are strategising ahead. So, when we get to the bridge, we will see who have the strongest stride to cross it. And I assure you, the APC will not be found nothing. It will not be caught napping.”
