The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed plans by opposition parties to field a single presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, describing the move as unrealistic and politically impractical.
Basiru, speaking in reaction to the opposition summit held in Ibadan, said the coalition effort was riddled with internal contradictions and would likely collapse over competing ambitions.
“We wish them luck if they can have it, but they must first agree on which political party platform their so-called candidate will contest.They are just engaging in delusion.”
Opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, had converged on Ibadan and agreed to work towards presenting a joint presidential candidate under what they termed the “Ibadan Declaration.”
But Basiru argued that personal ambitions among key figures would undermine any consensus.
“All of them want to be president. Atiku wants to be president, Obi wants to be president, Kwankwaso wants to be president. Who then becomes the candidate?” he queried.
He added that the ruling party was not distracted by what he described as “political theatrics,” insisting that the APC remained focused on strengthening its structures ahead of the elections.
“As far as we are concerned, we are concentrating on mobilising Nigerians, expanding our membership and conducting transparent primaries. We are not bothered about the circus they are doing,” Basiru said.
The opposition summit, attended by figures from parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), resolved to unite in order to challenge the APC in 2027.
In a communiqué, the opposition accused the ruling party of attempting to entrench a one-party state and pledged to resist such moves by presenting a common candidate.
However, Basiru rejected the claim, saying the very existence of multiple opposition parties and their ability to organise a summit contradicted the allegation.
“The fact that they held a summit shows that Nigeria is not a one-party state. They should focus on fixing their internal problems instead of misleading Nigerians,” he said.
He maintained that the APC was confident of its chances in the next election and ready to face any candidate presented by the opposition.
“We are prepared to meet any of them at the polls,” Basiru concluded.