Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have dismissed recent endorsements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and party stakeholders, describing them as signs of fear and political desperation.
At the APC National Summit held in Abuja on Friday, the party’s Governors Forum and the leadership of the National Assembly threw their weight behind Tinubu’s re-election bid. Senate President Godswill Akpabio went as far as declaring Tinubu as both the APC and Nigeria’s “sole presidential candidate” for 2027.
Reacting, Atiku, through his media adviser Paul Ibe, stated that what truly matters is the support of ordinary Nigerians — not orchestrated endorsements by political elites.
“When you’ve prepared well for an exam, you rest easy the night before, confident of success. That’s the position of our coalition,” Ibe said at a press briefing in Abuja. “It is the Nigerian people who will ultimately decide 2027 — not backroom declarations by the APC. These endorsements simply reflect the growing anxiety within Tinubu’s administration.”
Ibe criticized the APC government for focusing on political survival instead of tackling worsening national challenges.
“Insecurity has escalated, with insurgents reclaiming territories in Borno and beyond. The cost of living is unbearable. Families are struggling to eat, pay school fees, or access healthcare. Yet, the government prioritizes political theatre over governance,” he said.
He also accused the Tinubu administration of using anti-corruption agencies to coerce opposition politicians into defecting to the APC.
“These defections are not driven by ideology or loyalty to the APC,” Ibe alleged. “They’re being forced through intimidation. Corruption investigations — some stemming from previous administrations — are being weaponized to pressure politicians into switching allegiance. What we’ve seen in Delta State is a textbook example of this strategy.”
He referred to reports of covert threats and deals being used to force defections, describing it as “political blackmail disguised as reconciliation.”
Also commenting, PDP National Organising Secretary Alhaji Umar Bature dismissed the APC endorsements as symbolic and lacking real influence.
“Endorsements don’t guarantee victory,” Bature said. “In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan had the support of 21 governors and still lost. Tinubu’s 22 endorsements today change nothing. The real issue is performance — what have you done for Nigerians? Endorsements are often cosmetic, especially when a government knows it has failed the people.”
He added that while the PDP is dealing with internal dissent, there is no crisis threatening the party’s structure or focus.
“If some members express discontent or even leave, time will tell how it all plays out. These are not insurmountable issues. We remain focused on 2027 and on delivering a credible alternative to Nigerians.”
