APC’s resounding victory in by-elections across 12 states: prelude to 2027 general elections, by Kola Amzat

During the recently concluded by-elections conducted by INEC into national and states’ houses of Assembly in about 12 states, the APC recorded resounding victories in all the elections except in Anambra state where APGA candidates swept polls, as well as in Ibadan North Federal Constituency election where PDP House of Representatives candidate coast home to victory.

Even, against all odds, APC triumphed in Adamawa state in that state house of assembly by-election, the hitherto political fortress of Alhaji Atiku Abibakar.

It’s no brainer! Even the astrologers, enchanters, diviners and sorcerers knew from the on-set that APC would triumph in the by-elections.      

Only the members of the hurriedly arranged ADC coalition group, as well as the already depleted & famished members of PDP group had illusion that they could spring surprise.  

What on earth could rejected political figures in ADC would have done in a short while, to earn the trust and confidence of millions of Nigerians to the extent of attracting their votes?

And, how could PDP, a political party fast making its way to extinction would have expected Nigerians to cast their loins on them after their top party members had looted the Nigerian treasury for about 16 years with so much impunity!

The 4th Republic commenced in 1999 and it has remained unbroken till date. As politicians have learnt their lessons, so as electorates across the country have got ample opportunity to learn, theirs.

The uninterrupted democratic order in the past 26 years have offered Nigerians opportunity to assess the quality, capacity, patriotism, competence, as well as leadership quality of some of the politicians on parade, with Nigerians discovering that quite a number of so called leaders indeed don’t have what it takes to be governor, how much more their inordinate ambitions to lead the nation.

Without doubt, the by-election results declared by INEC has proved in clear terms where Nigerian electorates headed during 2027 general elections.

APC comfortably swept the polls in Edo state during the by-elections. APC candidates for senatorial and House of Representatives elections, Joe Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion triumphed and also, with very wide margins, an indication that opposition parties-PDP and ADC only exist in Newspapers and Social media in the state.    

In kaduna state, Governor Uba Sani admirably proved that it’s not how long, but how well. Within a short time of his assumption of leadership of APC in the state, he has clearly proved that Kaduna state is a no go area for the opposition parties–PDP and ADC, as he led APC to electoral triumph, with the party claiming landslide victory in two state house of assembly elections, as well as Chikun-Kajuru House of Representatives, with APC unassailable votes of 34,580 votes to the famished PDP’s 11,491 votes. 

It’s beginning to dawn on the combustible and cantankerous Nasir El-Rufai that courting electorates is not by deception, propaganda and arrogance, which are all his trademarks, but, through purposeful leadership, humility and having respect and consciousness for human life.

Even the much vaunted dominance and imperiousness of Atiku Abubakar in Adamawa state was subject to serious questioning and doubt, as APC triumphed in the state house of assembly by-election.

Taraba state, the hitherto political fortress of PDP got seriously threatened as APC candidate also claimed victory in the state house of assembly by-elections.

And, in Kano APC political tsunami was at work at Tsanyawa/Ghari, where the party state assembly candidate comfortably dusted all candidates presented by all opposition parties.

The icing of the cake was APC allegations that, even, Shanono/Bagwai state assembly seat declared to have been won by a candidate of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) was a day-light robbery.

The by-election in Niger state proved to be a one-man squad affair as Governor Bago proved succinctly to opposition groups, that it’s not how long, but, how well.

Within a very short time in the saddle, the Farmer governor has proved that he’s a grand master of political game, with the landslide victory of APC candidate over all other parties’ candidate during the state assembly by-elections, even, against all odds. 

The crux of this Write-up is essentially to submit that the pattern of 2027 general election would not be largely different from dimension by-elections.

Nigerian electorates are the most predictable in the world; they are not likely to alter their position come 2027.

It could even be worse for ADC and even PDP during the 2027 general elections as their internal wrangling continues, unabated.

Assuredly, Atiku Abubakar has strategically positioned himself as the man to beat as far as the ADC presidential ticket is concerned. The Turaki Adamawa has never been known to commit resources where he knows he won’t hold sway.

This development, which may likely manifest a couple of weeks before the 2027 presidential elections would obviously throw the new party into disarray, as other contending personalities may have little or no choice than to rock the boat.

Besides the challenge of presidential flag bearer, ADC is a party without clear ideology and philosophy. This may significantly be their Achilles Heel, as Nigerian electorates don’t precisely know where to place and situate the party.

What their key figures have affirmed is that, they only commandeered and hijacked the party from the original owners with the sole objective of grabbing power from APC controlled federal government.

Meanwhile, PDP is not a shade better. It would be a miracle of the century if the party could free itself from the cobweb that it’s presently entangled in. 

There is a clear indication that PDP may go to 2027 general elections with only two or three governors in their fold. So, on which basis would they challenge the ruling party? 

In contrast, APC keeps on gaining momentum every day, every second. More of the national assembly members of opposition parties have defected. More are planning to defect to the ruling party.

President Bola Tinubu keeps on rolling out innovative and developmental programs that are of great benefits to the generality of Nigerians.

As he draws curtains on one, another one springs up. He is one president obviously in a hurry to run developmental race with countries in Asia, Europe, and America.

That explains why he is on the air every available opportunity to replicate in Nigeria, those unimaginable initiatives happening in those climes.

The present federal government under the watch of President Tinubu remain in Nigeria chequered history as the only one that has opted to allocate humongous federal allocation to other two tiers of government—state and local government authorities, majorly for the purpose of grass roots development,

He didn’t stop at that, the federal government under his watch have granted Finance Autonomy to Local government so that they could be severe from Apron strings of state government.

President Tinubu, through the federal government economic team, and other relevant bodies have deployed diverse strategic initiatives to revive and revamp the ailing economy, amongst which are unification of exchange rate, as well as removal of subsidy, strengthening the capital market and consolidation of financial institutions.     

It’s widely reported a couple of days ago that eventually, Nigeria has now met OPEC allocation of about 1.8 million barrels/day production, an incredible feat achieved with the collaboration of adequately motivated members of Navy security team on constant surveillance in Niger Delta region deep sea, and the private security outfit, precisely, Tantita Security, that have the federal government mandate to neutralize any individual or team of illegal bunkerers sabotaging the nation economy, through illegal bunkering.

Federal government have also returned to Crude-for-naira deal with key foreign crude buyers, a development that has the potential to create stability in the petroleum sector.

Of course, diverse social net interventions initiatives meant to empower Nigerians of different cadres—individuals, households, SMEs, Farmers etc are already in place through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation.

The Four groundbreaking Tax Reforms Bill that will transform Nigeria’s fiscal and entire revenue framework was recently signed into law by the president.

The thinking, resourceful, patriotic, focus and developmental centric president is also engrossed with other strategic initiatives capable of turning the tide and completely changing the fortunes of our dear nation.

Indeed, this writer foresees a complete obliteration of PDP and ADC political parties even before electioneering activities commence for 2027 general elections.

I obviously don’t foresee any serious challenge for the ruling party to coast home to victory at the federal level, as well as in so many states of the federation.

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.