By Ebiere Kekeboro
With the 2027 general election just around the corner, Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are gearing up for a intense showdown.
The battle for the nation’s top political prize is expected to be fierce, with both parties vying for control of the government. As the election draws near, the APC and PDP are likely to engage in a series of heated campaigns, debates, and strategic maneuvers to win over voters and secure their place in the country’s leadership.
The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party recently held their National Executive Committee meetings in Abuja, unveiling strategic plans ahead of the 2027 general election. Here’s what’s unfolding .
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Professor Yilwatda Nentawe as its new chairman, replacing Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje who resigned due to health concerns.
Nentawe, a seasoned academic and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, was elected after a motion by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, seconded by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Governor Uzodinma said, “It will be a thing of joy for me to take advantage of this moment to drive this motion, that I, Senator Hope Uzodima, the Governor of Imo State and Chairman Progressives Governors Forum that I want to humbly move the motion that the National Executive Committee approve the Office of the National Chairman of the APC to be zoned back to the North Central from the North East where it is now, to the North Central geopolitical zone.”
In his acceptance speech, Yilwatda pledged to unify and grow the party, promising an inclusive and cooperative leadership style.
“I pledge without hesitation that I will work with everybody in the party, unite the party, build the party, expand the party with you as the focus,” he stated. Yilwatda expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, APC governors, members of the National Assembly, and all stakeholders for entrusting him with the leadership role.
President Tinubu emphasized the need for increased community engagement and responsiveness to citizens’ concerns.
“Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots,” he said, adding, “To you, the governors, you must wet the grass more and deliver progressive change to Nigerians.” The President also welcomed new entrants into the APC, including Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to challenge the APC’s dominance in the 2027 elections.
PDP’s Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, stated that the party would no longer tolerate acts of indiscipline and would work to revive the party and deliver hope to Nigerians.
“We will not continue to condone indiscipline in this place, because indiscipline is what brought us all the problems and challenges,” Mohammed said.
“Definitely, the party has shown resilience, and the governors are going through a lot of challenges, just like the NWC. We will continue to express confidence in the organs of the party.
“We are ready to work with you so that no personal interest will divide us.
“Our ambition is not more important than the nation. We must be able to hide our personal ambition, either as governors or those seeking the presidency so that we can leave a level playing field,” Mohammed stated.
He added, “Now, with the necessary recognition by the regulator, INEC, at the end of the day, we’ll give the APC political competition a run for their money in terms of contest that will be given on a level playing field, with a party that is intact, and also give answers to our people wishing to come in.
“In terms of whatever permutation or conjecture we call it whether it is coalition, whether it is alliance it is the PDP that should be able to drive it, because it is the main opposition party.”
The Bauchi State Governor stated that the party sympathises with those who left out of impatience, noting that the door will remain open for their return though only for a limited time.
“This is a long way we have traveled. This is how PDP is known, a party with a history, with a logo that has not changed over the years, the party that has shown resilience, and we have the governors solidly behind all the organs of the party.
“We don’t have to make a lot of noise. We are working behind the scene, behind the NWC, behind the BoT, the caucuses of the National Assembly and the six chapters to ensure that we remain intact and provide a credible platform for Nigerians to actualize their aspirations.
“As the BoT Secretary has said, This is not time for calling names. This is not time for abusers. We sympathise for those who became impatient and left but certainly they will understand and we would still leave the door ajar for them to come in when they wish to, within a time limit,” he stated.
PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, expressed confidence in the eventual collapse of the recently formed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“I have no charge beyond this; that we deliberate sincerely and make decisions that serve the interest of the PDP and the Nigerian people,” Damagum stated.
The emergence of Yilwatda as the new APC chairman has significant implications for the 2027 elections. With the APC’s stronghold in the country, the party’s decision to unite and work towards a common goal could have a major impact on the outcome of the elections. On the other hand, the PDP’s vow to challenge the APC’s dominance and its decision to revive the party could lead to a closely contested elections in 2027.