|By Adejumo Adekunle
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Yusuf, has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to reject overreliance on APC governors as the 2027 presidential election approaches.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the senator questioned the political strength of several governors defecting into the ruling party, arguing that many of them lack genuine grassroots support.
Yusuf punctured the illusion of APC dominance, insisting that any potential victory in 2027 would not stem from outstanding performance by the current administration but from a fragmented opposition.
“I would want to say APC will win the 2027 presidential election not because the government of Asiwaju Tinubu has performed but because there is no opposition,” he stated.
He noted that while opposition figures may be individually credible, they have failed to unite into a formidable force capable of challenging the ruling party.
Despite projecting a likely APC victory, Yusuf sounded the alarm over looming internal crises, warning that the party risks a major breakdown if it fails to conduct transparent and competitive primaries.
He cautioned that any attempt to impose automatic tickets could trigger defections and destabilise the party, as aspirants sidelined in the process may seek alternatives elsewhere.
“What APC should worry about is intra-party crisis… there might be implosions if care is not taken,” he warned.
Yusuf further described a growing web of internal contradictions within the party, citing competing interests among:
- APC leadership structures
- the Renewed Hope political bloc
- state governors
- influential support groups
- and ordinary Nigerian voters
According to him, these tensions could explode into full-blown political conflict if not carefully managed.
He therefore called on President Tinubu, as leader of the party, to enforce free and fair primaries and allow aspirants to test their popularity at the grassroots.
“There will be implosions, no doubt about it, if they refuse to allow a free and fair election,” Yusuf stressed.
He concluded with a direct caution: the president must stand firm, uphold internal democracy, and avoid leaning on governors whose political influence may not reflect real voter support.
