Senator Ali Ndume has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will retain power at the centre in the 2027 presidential election.
Ndume, representing Borno South at the National Assembly, said the opposition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), backed by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi has not presented anything new to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the veteran lawmaker acknowledged that while the opposition should not be underestimated, he sees little in their current strategy to rival the APC.
“I am not worried because nobody is coming up with something new. Everybody is talking about either Tinubu, Atiku, Amaechi, or Peter Obi. I don’t see anything they’ve put on the table,” Ndume said.
“The man steering now is Tinubu, but those trying to take over, and the ADC itself, are focused more on themselves than on coherent strategies. Despite strong personalities, they have not been able to put their house in order. But you cannot underrate any opposition, no matter how small.”
Ndume recalled how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) initially underestimated the APC, saying, “That was how PDP thought APC wasn’t serious. Buhari tried several times; he didn’t make it. So, I’m not writing off Atiku, Obi, or Amaechi.”
He emphasized the importance of a strong opposition in a democracy, while insisting that Nigerians will ultimately judge APC’s performance in 2027.
Asked if Nigerians should reject Tinubu for failing to fulfill some campaign promises, Ndume said the decision rests with voters but noted that the president has achieved much, despite challenges in insecurity and welfare.
“If the President takes the fight against insecurity seriously, improves welfare, and fixes the power sector, Nigerians will return him to office. Once these problems are addressed, the people will forgive past lapses,” he said.
Ndume maintained that the ADC, despite being backed by a coalition of political heavyweights including Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Abubakar Malami”], and Nasir El-Rufai, is not yet a serious threat to the ruling party.
He concluded: “Don’t write off APC. Nigerians are forgiving; if policies start yielding results, they will be happy about it. Our challenge remains security and welfare, and once these are addressed, the APC will remain the party to beat.”
With ongoing crises within the PDP, the ADC has positioned itself as a potential opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, but Ndume remains confident that APC will maintain its dominance.
