…As Lagos APC faults Adebayo over President’s campaign plans

The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals (FORCEPA), Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, has said Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid could give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) an inroad into the Southeast ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Ajiboye, in a statement on Soludo’s participation in the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Wednesday, described the governor’s position as significant, given his membership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, had described the political support expressed for Tinubu at the inauguration as unusual in Nigeria’s democratic history, citing the participation of political stakeholders from different party backgrounds.

He said APGA’s support for the President was anchored on shared interests in national unity, security and economic prosperity.

The Anambra governor also described the Tinubu administration’s economic approach as “pragmatic progressivism”, arguing that its reforms were aimed at addressing structural challenges and laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

Soludo maintained that the administration’s economic decisions should be assessed against the difficulties confronting the country, although critics have questioned the impact of the reforms on household incomes and the cost of living.

Ajiboye said the governor’s position could strengthen the APC’s political prospects in the Southeast, where the party has faced the challenge of expanding its electoral support.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the APC has faulted the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, over his criticism of Tinubu’s reported plans to delegate some campaign activities ahead of the 2027 election.

The party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, described Adebayo’s position as an attempt to create controversy around the President’s campaign strategy, arguing that Tinubu did not need to attend every campaign event personally to demonstrate his commitment to re-election.

Oladejo said the APC had an extensive nationwide political network and experienced leaders capable of undertaking campaign engagements on the President’s behalf.

He argued that the reported decision to delegate some campaign responsibilities reflected confidence in the party’s political machinery rather than weakness.

According to him, presidential leadership requires more than public appearances and criticism of an incumbent, but also experience in public administration, economic management, national security and intergovernmental relations.

Oladejo challenged Adebayo to demonstrate his preparedness for the presidency by explaining his public service experience and showing how the SDP intended to build a formidable political structure capable of mobilising voters nationwide.

He also said Tinubu had responsibilities beyond electioneering, including managing the economy, security, infrastructure development and international relations.

“The President’s campaign arrangements are the APC’s responsibility, not a matter for opposition micromanagement,” Oladejo said.

He maintained that the 2027 election would be determined by political organisation, national reach, policy direction and voters’ confidence in the candidates, rather than the frequency of their appearances at campaign rallies.

Oladejo urged Adebayo and the SDP to present a convincing alternative to the ruling party, including how they intended to finance their proposals and address the country’s economic and security challenges.