A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Tolu Bankole, has declared that opposition parties in Nigeria are currently too divided and unprepared to effectively challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.
Bankole, who serves as the APC National Leader for Persons with Disabilities and is a member of the party’s National Working Committee, made the remarks in a statement released on Monday in Abuja. In the statement, he commended the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the administration’s governance record has strengthened the ruling party’s position ahead of the next electoral cycle.
According to him, opposition parties are struggling with internal crises and have failed to present a unified front or credible policy alternatives to Nigerians.
“The facts are undeniable and the evidence overwhelming: the opposition is not just struggling; it is in complete disarray and facing an existential crisis,” Bankole said. “They are deeply divided and woefully unprepared as the 2027 general elections approach.”
He maintained that the APC had outperformed its rivals both politically and in governance, crediting the Tinubu administration with stabilising the economy, attracting investments, expanding infrastructure, and tackling security challenges across the country.
Bankole described President Tinubu’s leadership as strategic and transformative, insisting that attempts by critics and opposition groups to undermine the administration had failed.
“This is not arrogance; it is simply the reality on the ground,” he added. “The figures speak for themselves—from infrastructure development and rail projects to rising foreign reserves, declining food import bills, and improved access to education and healthcare.”
The APC chieftain expressed confidence that the ruling party was already building strong momentum toward another electoral victory in 2027.
However, his remarks come amid growing political tensions as the country gradually moves toward the next election cycle.
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, New Nigeria People’s Party and African Democratic Congress, have recently raised concerns over alleged attacks on their members and leaders. The parties claim the incidents are part of efforts to intimidate opposition figures and weaken rival political groups ahead of the polls.
The APC has rejected the allegations, insisting that the violent episodes reported in some quarters are largely the result of internal disputes within opposition parties.
With political alignments already taking shape, analysts warn that the build-up to the 2027 elections could further heighten tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape. Nevertheless, opposition leaders have vowed to continue mobilising supporters and preparing for the next national polls despite the challenges.
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