The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, as a comedian over his request to hold his presidential campaign council inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Basiru stressed that Sowore was not serious about contesting the 2027 presidential election.
He described his request to President Bola Tinubu as an attempt to make a political statement rather than a genuine campaign move.
The APC national secretary made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he was asked whether he would support the Presidency granting Sowore’s request.
“Sowore is a skit maker. You know, he’s my friend. We all of us were in the trenches as students,” Basiru said.
He added that Sowore should first demonstrate his party’s electoral strength at the state level before expecting Nigerians to take his presidential ambition seriously.
“Let him struggle to even get a seat in the House of Assembly as a political party. Then people will begin to take him seriously,” he said.
Basiru also cited the AAC’s performance in the 2023 general election to question its popularity, claiming that rejected ballot papers received more votes than the party.
“So, that means that rejected ballot paper is more popular than his political party. So, he’s just making skits,” he added.
Asked whether Sowore was serious about the presidential race, Basiru replied, “I’m telling you, he’s not serious.”
His comments followed a letter dated October 21, 2026, in which the AAC requested permission from Tinubu to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, on November 11, 2026.
The letter, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena, also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants.
Politics Nigeria reports that the AAC said its request was based on multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness, fairness and equal treatment of political parties.
The party also referenced arrangements reportedly made for the APC to hold a similar political engagement, arguing that public institutions should serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination.
As of the information provided in the letter, the Presidency had yet to respond to the request.
Meanwhile, Basiru expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the 2027 general election, describing Northern Nigeria as the party’s stronghold.
He said prominent political figures and ordinary citizens in the region were supporting the ruling party, citing the establishment of a campaign office known as Arewa for Asiwaju.
“The strength of the APC is in the Northern part of this country and you will see it by the grace of God when election comes in 2027,” he said.
Basiru also claimed that some opposition politicians, including former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, were now aligning with the APC.
The party official further criticised opposition parties for their response to electoral defeats, arguing that politicians must learn to accept losses as part of democracy.
“One of the things that our leader President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said is that anybody that wants that savour the joy of victory in a democracy must also be able to endure the pain when he loses,” Basiru said.
He added that the APC had also suffered losses in court cases and political contests but had accepted the outcomes, learned lessons and moved on.
