The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are trading barbs over what the PDP calls premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
According to reports, several groups including opposition governors have thrown their support behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
At a summit in Abuja several months ago, APC governors, party officials, and members of the National Assembly officially adopted Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate.
At the same time, former legislators and party leaders from all six geopolitical zones gathered in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and also endorsed Tinubu’s re‑election bid during the 2025 Southern Summit.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused the APC of being desperate, claiming the ruling party is seeking endorsements prematurely in order to shore up support.
“The president and APC are looking for endorsement,” Ologunagba alleged.
APC, however, has dismissed those claims. Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State APC spokesman, derided the PDP, saying, “The only people in panic mode are those with an empty shell called a party… For APC, the journey continues. For PDP, the panic continues.”
Oladejo also accused PDP of lack of cohesion and being reduced to “shopping” for candidates due to its perceived weak structure.
Political analysts interviewed by Daily Trust suggest that both parties are more focused on power dynamics than addressing the real issues facing Nigerians.
Professor Hassan Saliu of the Nigerian Political Science Association says that politicians usually centre their efforts around retaining power, often neglecting governance or meeting citizens’ needs.
Professor Sikiru Lanre Nurudeen of Al‑Hikmah University also noted that early campaign moves by APC reflect an attempt to influence opinion and build leverage ahead of official electoral processes.
