The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has warned the All Progressives Congress against attempting to rig the 2027 presidential election, saying Saturday’s Osun governorship poll showed that voters could reject the ruling party.
The APM gave the warning on Sunday in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar. It said the result in Osun, a state with strong political ties to President Bola Tinubu, should serve as a warning ahead of the next presidential election.
The party also said the result could point to a presidential contest in which Tinubu would lose to its candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Party points to voter reaction
The APM said the Osun election showed that an established political structure could be defeated when voters were unhappy with its performance.
It also pointed to alleged booing of Tinubu’s political associates, including APC governors, as they left Osun State after the election. The party said the reaction showed dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
“Judging from the disposition of Nigerians as witnessed in the booing of APC leaders, President Tinubu and his party will struggle to command any genuine audience during the upcoming campaigns,” Abubakar said.
READ RELATED NEWS
APM rejects godfather politics, defends alliance ahead of elections
Six Oyo reps defect from PDP to APM
Falae predicts APM upset for APC in Ondo Central
The party said economic hardship, insecurity and poor governance would make it difficult for the Tinubu administration to secure another term.
It also claimed there were signs of disaffection within the APC itself. The APM cited alleged cases where APC members and candidates chanted “APM” at party gatherings.
One example cited by the party was an APC rally in Oyo State, where it alleged that an APC governorship candidate repeatedly chanted the name of the opposition party.
The APM said the incidents should warn Tinubu and APC leaders about the 2027 contest.
The party also said Nigerians were identifying Makinde with competent, transparent and people-oriented leadership.
“Nigerians are gravitating toward Seyi Makinde because they see in him the right presidential candidate with the desired track record of performance, practical blueprint, competence and youthful commitment to reset Nigeria to a nation of our collective dream,” the statement read.
Makinde set for 2027 contest
Makinde has governed Oyo State since 2019 and will complete his second term in 2027. He will contest the presidency under the APM.
The party said Makinde had shown that he could manage a larger political and economic constituency. It pointed to what it called the growth of Oyo State’s economy under his administration.
The APM also recalled a visit by the president of an unnamed African country to Oyo State to exchange ideas with Makinde on leadership and development. The party presented the visit as evidence of recognition for his performance outside the state.
The party also criticised the Tinubu administration over inflation, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure and economic hardship.
It claimed the administration was the worst in Nigeria’s history, but the statement gave no specific evidence to support that claim.
“Of course, Nigerians can no longer continue to stomach the arrogance in failure, totalitarian proclivities, worsening insecurity and economic hardship that the Tinubu administration now represents,” the party said.
The Osun governorship election was held on August 15 and has become an electoral test ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political parties have offered different views on what the result could mean for the next presidential contest.
The APM said the APC must not consider manipulating the 2027 election, warning that Nigerians would resist any attempt to undermine voters.
“Our party therefore cautions the APC to read the handwriting on the wall and perish any thoughts of rigging the 2027 presidential election, as any attempt to subvert the will of the people will be firmly resisted by Nigerians on the platform of the APM,” Abubakar said.
The party congratulated Nigerians over what it called the triumph of their will in Osun and said the result had strengthened its resolve to challenge the APC in 2027.
For More News Details, Visit the New Daily Prime.
