Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of employing underhand tactics to secure re-election in 2027. He urged political leaders across Nigeria’s North and South to resist what he described as a growing campaign of blackmail, intimidation and manipulation targeted at opposition figures.

Frank, a vocal political activist and critic of the current administration, issued a strongly worded statement in Abuja on Wednesday. He alleged that President Tinubu was deploying ethnic sentiments to coerce opposition governors, particularly those from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), into defecting to the APC ahead of the next general elections.

According to Frank, several southern governors and National Assembly members are being pressured to cross over to the APC under threat of political reprisals, including the imposition of states of emergency in their regions under the guise of tackling insecurity or corruption.

“Tinubu has increased the intensity now by blackmailing, intimidating and putting at least five PDP governors from the South under duress to defect,” Frank claimed. “To Tinubu, the 2027 election is about him versus the North, and that is why he is trying desperately to enlist support from the South through manipulation and subterfuge.”

Frank warned that Tinubu’s approach risks deepening the country’s already fragile unity, arguing that Nigeria cannot afford a president who pits regions against each other in pursuit of personal ambition. He added that 2027 should be about finding a capable leader who can tackle insecurity, economic hardship, and rising poverty—challenges he said had worsened under Tinubu’s leadership.

“Nigerians are in need of a president who will make the country better, not a ‘Northern’ or ‘Southern’ candidate,” he said. “I don’t believe in a tribalistic and divisive president. I believe in a leader that will unite, not divide Nigeria.”

He further criticised the president for what he called the marginalisation of northern interests despite the region’s role in Tinubu’s 2023 electoral victory. “The North has been grossly sidelined in appointments and infrastructure under Tinubu, who has prioritised his personal and tribal interests over national unity.”

Frank warned that should the North continue to support Tinubu blindly, it could face even greater political neglect in the event of a second term. He claimed at least five governors from opposition parties are preparing to switch allegiance not out of conviction but because of “intense political pressure.”
He also accused Tinubu of undermining Nigeria’s democracy by instigating internal crises in opposition parties to prevent credible challengers from emerging in 2027. “His singular aim is to retain power by hook or crook,” he said, alleging that Tinubu was already planning to “steal” the election as he allegedly did in 2023.

“Nigeria is currently on auto-pilot under Tinubu’s watch, yet he wants to force himself on the country again in 2027. Nigerians must prepare to reject him—it is the only patriotic thing to do.”

Frank called on opposition leaders to put aside personal ambitions and prioritise a united front to defeat the APC in 2027. He said a successful coalition would be vital to restoring national direction and democratic accountability.

Keyphrase:
Meta Description:
Tags: