2027: APC, Akume Speak on Tinubu’s Chances of Securing Northern Votes

According to a report by The Nation on Thursday 22 October 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence in its ability to secure substantial support from Northern Nigeria for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, expressed optimism about Tinubu’s prospects in the region amid opposition claims that the President was losing political support in the North.

Basiru maintained that the APC’s political structures, alliances with influential stakeholders and the Federal Government’s programmes would be central to its campaign ahead of the election.

He made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he acknowledged that the ruling party would not rely on its previous electoral successes to determine its preparations for 2027.

The APC national secretary pointed to the party’s control of 31 states, including 18 of the 19 states in Northern Nigeria, as an indication of its extensive political reach.

He also noted that two governors from opposition parties serving on the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council had strengthened the party’s political network.

According to Basiru, the APC’s performance in off-cycle elections since the 2023 general election demonstrated the reach of its political structures; He claimed that the party had recorded approximately 86 per cent success in elections held during the period.

Despite this record, he insisted that the ruling party would continue to intensify its mobilisation efforts and campaign for Tinubu’s re-election rather than become complacent.

Basiru identified Northern Nigeria as a critical part of the APC’s political base, citing the party’s control of 18 states in the region.

He said the involvement of Northern governors and prominent political stakeholders would help the party strengthen its campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The APC national secretary also disclosed that influential figures from the region had contributed towards providing a campaign office for Tinubu, describing the move as evidence of their commitment to the President’s re-election bid.

He further suggested that beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) could support the APC because of the student financing programme introduced under the Tinubu administration.

Basiru put the party’s membership at approximately 12.8 million Nigerians, arguing that its membership strength distinguished it from opposition parties.

He also rejected allegations that the APC was offering financial inducements to opposition politicians to secure their defections.

According to him, politicians who had joined the ruling party had explained their decisions publicly, insisting that consultations and shared political interests were responsible for the developments.

Basiru also defended the Federal Government against allegations of political persecution, arguing that criminal investigations should be allowed to proceed without interference based on political affiliations.

Meanwhile, Akume has urged Northern political leaders and presidential aspirants to respect the existing power rotation arrangement between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

The SGF argued that the North should allow the South to complete its eight-year presidential cycle following Buhari’s two terms in office between 2015 and 2023.

Akume made the position known while receiving a delegation of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, led by its Supreme Knight, Sir Steve Adehi.

In a statement issued by Chris Ugwuegbulam, Head of Information and Public Relations in the SGF’s office, Akume traced the zoning arrangement to consultations held in Kaduna in 1999 involving PDP governors-elect and other prominent political leaders.

He explained that the arrangement emerged from concerns about the concentration of political power in one region and the need to ensure a sense of fairness and inclusion across the country.

Under the understanding, presidential power would alternate between the North and South in eight-year cycles, beginning with the South.

Akume described the agreement as an important political framework for maintaining national cohesion, strengthening democratic governance and preventing any region from feeling excluded from the country’s highest political office.

He maintained that the arrangement should not be abandoned whenever it conflicts with the ambitions of individual politicians.

The SGF called on political stakeholders to prioritise national unity, fairness and mutual respect over personal political interests, stressing that adherence to the zoning principle remained important to Nigeria’s stability.

Akume also appealed for greater understanding of the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reforms, noting that the administration was addressing immediate economic pressures while pursuing longer-term development objectives.

He said overcoming Nigeria’s challenges would require cooperation among the federal, state and local governments, particularly in implementing policies designed to improve citizens’ welfare.

The SGF praised the Knights of St. Mulumba for their humanitarian interventions and support for vulnerable Nigerians, describing their charitable activities as complementary to government efforts.

Adehi, in his remarks, highlighted some of the organisation’s initiatives aimed at assisting disadvantaged members of society.