By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA —PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Thursday, said he was expecting more members of the opposition political parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, before the 2027 election

The President also said that the Constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of movement and association.

This is as the APC National Working Committee, NEC, the Progressive Governors Forum and the National Assembly Caucus of the the ruling party have adopted President Tinubu as the sole candidate of the party in 2027.

Speaking at the APC national Summit, with the theme: “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey so far,” at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu said it’s one party that is ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians.

Tinubu cited the constitutional right to freedom of association and portrayed the opposition as politically unstable:

“Before I speak, I just need to tell those saying one party system is not good, it’s one party ruling and driving the aspirations of Nigerians. Where do they stand?

“You don’t blame a people bailing out of a sinking ship when there is no life jacket. I am glad about what we have and I am expecting more to come. That is the game. We are in a constitutional democracy. Don’t forget the freedom of movement and association are not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean.

Tinubu tacitly endorsed the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, describing him as a member of the think-tank theme.

Reacting to his endorsement as the sole candidate, the President responded with optimism: “The endorsement today – the ‘carry go’ expression – I know road. We will lead you to the promised land.”

He also assured that the economy is on course .

” The resuscitation of the Nigerian economy is on course. The hope is standing before you, take it on.

“You are the leaders and the conscience of this country. Nigeria will be industrialized. The next two years will be great. We have the mission, we have the vision.”

He assured party loyalists of better days ahead, saying: ” To many of you I have not offered political positions, be patient, many things are coming.”

On the fuel subsidy removal policy which his administration initiated, Tinubu said it is well justified, noting that large chunk of savings from the subsidy regime has gone into healthcare provision, education and security

Earlier, the All Progressives Congress APC, formally adopted President Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, made the declaration on behalf of the National Working Committee, NWC, stating:

“As the Chairman of the party and as the only recognized platform to field a candidate in any election, I hereby affirm the endorsement of the President.”

Ganduje’s pronouncement solidified what had become evident throughout the summit – President Tinubu remains the undisputed leader of the ruling party and its presumptive flag bearer.

The endorsement carries significant weight within the APC, particularly as the party moves to close ranks in the face of opposition realignments.
With formal primaries still constitutionally required, the declaration by the NWC and party stakeholders all but guarantees Tinubu’s re-nomination.

President Tinubu’s candidacy for a second term received unanimous backing from both APC governors and the leadership of the National Assembly.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, moved the motion to adopt Tinubu, seconded by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani. Uzodimma pledged the governors’ total commitment to delivering victory in 2027.

“We are united in our support for President Tinubu. He remains the best candidate to lead the country through this critical period.”

The endorsement was also echoed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who moved a similar motion on behalf of the National Assembly leadership.

Flanked by Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and other key lawmakers, Akpabio praised Tinubu’s political acumen and economic policies:

“Despite the difficult 2023 election, President Tinubu has repositioned Nigeria on a path to growth. I see a clear momentum in his favor for 2027.”
Akpabio revealed that even opposition lawmakers, including a Labour Party senator, have expressed interest in joining the APC:

“That tells you the political sagacity of President Tinubu.”

Speaker Abbas lauded Tinubu’s economic reforms – subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, infrastructure investment, and foreign partnerships – as transformative:

“Despite the initial pain, reforms have boosted public revenues, increased foreign reserves, and restored investor confidence. GDP growth is at its highest since 2015.”

Abbas urged APC members to mobilize at the grassroots and align with Tinubu’s vision to secure another electoral victory.

Observers note that the endorsements from governors and lawmakers signal deep internal consensus within the APC, effectively eliminating serious internal challenges to Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The move also comes as opposition forces are rumored to be coalescing around a new platform, possibly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), prompting the APC to reinforce unity early.

Also speaking, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said over 13,543 terrorists and other criminal elements have been neutralised across Nigeria since May 2023.

The NSA said the military and intelligence agencies had made gains in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, noting that 13,543 insurgents and criminals were killed during various operations nationwide over the past two years of President Bola Tinubu in office.

He also said that no fewer than 124,408 fighters of Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa Province, along with their family members, have surrendered to Nigerian forces and are undergoing rehabilitation through the government’s de-radicalisation and reintegration programme.

Ribadu said: “We have so far recovered and destroyed 252,596 rounds of assorted ammunition. Our troops have neutralised 13,543 terrorists. ”

Thursday’s disclosure comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing battle with insurgents, bandits, and separatist groups across multiple theatres of violence, from the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast to banditry in the Northwest and North Central, and criminal violence in the South.

The insurgency in the Northeast, which began in 2009, has led to the deaths of over 350,000 people—both directly and indirectly—according to United Nations estimates, and displaced over two million.

Despite repeated claims of degrading Boko Haram, security agencies continue to grapple with attacks, ambushes and bombings, particularly in Borno and Yobe states.

The past two months have seen a resurgence of violence, including the killing of locals in Plateau, Benue and Borno states.

The NSA also attributed the improved security situation to enhanced inter-agency collaboration, increased investment in intelligence gathering, and political will.

The APC National Summit was convened to assess the performance of the Tinubu administration.