2027: Ex-Kogi gov predicts APC landslide, defends Tinubu’s record

The erstwhile Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello has predicted a landslide victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election, saying northern political leaders are mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Mr Bello said the newly established Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) movement would help consolidate support for Mr Tinubu across northern Nigeria, arguing that the president deserves a second term to complete his eight-year tenure.

He spoke on Sunday during an interview on TVC News’ Politics on Sunday, where he defended the administration’s performance, particularly on infrastructure and security, and criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his history of changing political parties.

The former governor said the movement comprises influential political figures, including former governors and senators, who retain political structures and supporters across their constituencies and senatorial districts.

He argued that the political influence of the group’s members would help mobilise voters for Mr Tinubu in 2027.

Mr Bello also disagreed with comments attributed to former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed about the political influence of northern leaders, saying he could not speak for Mr Baba-Ahmed but believed the same scrutiny should apply to other political figures.

He cited Kogi State as an example of a northern state where political leaders were working to secure support for Mr Tinubu.

“There are other strong political groups in the North, and business and academia in the North who want President Tinubu back in office,” he said.

Mr Bello said the leaders had collectively resolved to support Mr Tinubu for a second term, citing the president’s performance and the direction of his administration.

Tinubu’s infrastructure record

The former governor said the Tinubu administration had made progress in infrastructure development, security and the economy.

He cited the Abuja-Kano road project, which he said was initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari but had yet to be completed before Mr Tinubu took office.

According to Mr Bello, the project is nearly complete, with less than five per cent of the work remaining.

He argued that the ongoing construction projects under Mr Tinubu exposed the shortcomings of the previous administration, which was led by a northerner.

“Those who are saying that the constructions that are ongoing now, they are simply indicting the previous administration of the northern extraction,” he said.

Mr Bello also said the roads being constructed under Mr Tinubu would serve the country for decades, adding that some were designed to last between 20 and 30 years.

Government’s handling of insecurity
Mr Bello defended the federal government’s response to insecurity, arguing that the authorities could not publicly disclose every aspect of their operations.

He said announcing security victories could expose military and security personnel to their adversaries.

“Coming to announce the victory, you are simply exposing yourselves to the enemy,” he said.

The former governor also alleged that some forces outside Nigeria did not want the country to be stable. He maintained that the public should not expect the government to disclose every detail of its security strategy.

‘APC will win massively in 2027’

Mr Bello expressed confidence that the APC would win the presidential election and secure victories in legislative and governorship contests across the country.

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He said the party was working to build alliances beyond its existing membership, despite being the ruling party.

According to him, the leaders behind Arewa for Asiwaju have political structures and networks they can deploy to mobilise support for Mr Tinubu.

He dismissed the prospect of confusion among the group’s members over their political loyalties, saying they were united in their support for the president’s re-election.

Mr Bello also argued that the APC’s political strength extended beyond its current members, claiming that some politicians who previously left the party had returned.

He cited Mr Tinubu’s political history as evidence of his electoral strength, saying the president had never lost an election.

The former governor criticised Mr Atiku, arguing that his frequent movement between political parties had weakened his support base.

“Atiku has left several political parties unsettled. If you are not consistent in a political party, you lose followership,” he said.

He added that Nigeria needed political stability and strong party structures, while accusing opposition politicians of failing to unite ahead of the 2027 election.

“The election result will speak for itself. There will be massive votes and a decisive victory,” Mr Bello said.