The ruling party says three opposition parties are now on its side as it prepares to open its presidential campaign. A rival PDP group has rejected the claim.
APC Names Its Supporters
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord are supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
He pointed out that these parties are the only ones, apart from the Allied People’s Movement, that have ever beaten the APC at the polls. To him, their stand shows the President’s support is growing.
Campaign Flag-Off in Kaduna
Yilwatda said preparations are complete for the formal launch of the campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24. He said members are motivated and state committees are ready.
He and the APC Presidential Campaign Council Director-General, Abdul’aziz Yari, briefed Tinubu on the arrangements before speaking to reporters.
Yari, a former Zamfara State governor, promised a campaign built on the government’s record. He said there would be no insults or name-calling. The council wants Nigerians to give the party a second chance for continuity, he added.
According to Yari, Tinubu approved the campaign timetable, including visits to states, after a meeting on October 9. The council was inaugurated on October 14. Tinubu chairs it, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and Yilwatda are vice chairmen.
How Accord and APGA Got Here
Accord’s presidential candidate, Christopher Imumolen, pulled out of the race on August 5 and endorsed Tinubu. APGA National Chairman Sly Ezeokenwa said in March that the party would field no presidential candidate and planned to adopt Tinubu.
PDP Faction Pushes Back
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, who calls himself PDP leader, has vowed to deliver APC votes in the FCT and Rivers State. A rival faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) disputes his claim to the leadership.
The faction rejected any alliance with the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. In a statement, its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said true PDP members will not back Tinubu or endorse the government’s policies. He called the promoters of that support pretenders within the opposition.
Ememobong warned that what he called a “Rainbow Coalition” threatens democracy and could push Nigeria towards an “electoral monarchy.” He said any opposition alliance should be among opposition parties, not with the ruling party.
He added that the faction’s case is before the Court of Appeal. The hearing is over, and it is awaiting judgment.
