The National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, has confidently dismissed the prospects of former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as formidable contenders for the 2027 presidential elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, Salihu characterized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as "technically non-existent" and argued that neither Jonathan nor Obi possessed the political capacity to challenge the APC's established structure and readiness for the upcoming elections.
"Jonathan is a gentleman and a patriotic Nigerian, but when it comes to performance, the difference between his six years and President Tinubu's two years is clear," Salihu stated. "We inherited what seemed like insurmountable security and economic challenges, yet we have stabilised critical sectors, taken courageous decisions, and achieved visible results. Jonathan does not have the political acumen to take the tough decisions required at this time."
The APC chieftain suggested that those encouraging Jonathan to return to the PDP were motivated by personal interests rather than genuine concern for Nigeria's welfare. "Some of them were part of his government and want to rule the country by proxy. Nigerians will not subscribe to that," he asserted, adding that the deep divisions within the PDP make a Jonathan candidacy unrealistic.
Regarding Peter Obi, Salihu criticized his post-2023 political strategy, claiming the former governor squandered the momentum he had built during the last election cycle. "Obi had a near revolution in 2023 with massive youth support, but after losing, he abandoned his governorship candidates. If he had supported them, he could have had at least seven governors today as a launchpad for the future. Instead, he made alliances that did not benefit him, and now he lacks the structure to contest and win a presidential election in Nigeria," he explained.
Salihu expressed unwavering confidence in the ruling party's preparedness for the 2027 elections. "We are not panicking or shaking. We have the structure, leadership ability, achievements, and organisational capacity to prosecute an election any day, any time. No party in Nigeria today can match the APC," he declared.
Political analysts note that these comments come amid increasing speculation about potential realignments within Nigeria's political landscape as parties begin early positioning for the 2027 general elections. The APC's assertive stance suggests the party is already in campaign mode, despite being just two years into President Tinubu's administration.
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