October 12, (THEWILL) – After a dull moment, political parties kick-started campaigns nationwide campaign with the All Progressives Congress, APC, the African Democratic Congress, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, taking the lead. Officially, the APC began preparations to mobilise nationwide support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, with the party fixing October 24 for its presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna. ADC officially inaugurated its campaign council, while the presidential candidate of the NDC has since taken the lead with a solo campaign effort, while his party is yet to constitute its campaign team amid conflict with a group, the Obi-Kwankwaso, OK, movement,
For the APC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, disclosed the APC campaign plans after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Yari said the President had approved a timetable for state visits ahead of the 2027 general election, as the ruling party prepares to take its campaign message to voters across the country.
He announced that the campaign council would hold its inaugural meeting on October 14 at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. According to him, the campaign flag-off would take place in Kaduna on October 24, after which the mobilisation exercise would move to Port Harcourt and Maiduguri. Yari said the full itinerary would be released after the inauguration of the campaign council. The planned activities are expected to provide the framework for the APC’s nationwide mobilisation effort as it seeks to secure another four-year term for Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023.
The campaign is expected to focus on the administration’s policies and achievements, with the ruling party seeking to convince Nigerians that Tinubu deserves another term despite concerns over economic hardship and the cost of living. Yari also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political standing, dismissing the prospect of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi defeating the President in the 2027 election.
He argued that neither opposition figure commands the level of support across northern and southern Nigeria required to win the presidency. Yari claimed that Tinubu enjoys strong backing in more than 10 states in each of the two regions, expressing confidence that the APC would be able to mobilise sufficient support across the country.
Tinubu’s administration has introduced significant economic policy changes, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and reforms to the foreign exchange system. The government has defended the measures as necessary to stabilise public finances and improve the economy over time, while critics have raised concerns about their immediate effects on households and businesses.
The APC will therefore face the task of explaining the benefits of its policies to voters while addressing concerns about inflation, purchasing power, employment and living standards.
Tinubu won the February 25, 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi, then the Labour Party candidate, who polled 6,101,533 votes. The Supreme Court upheld Tinubu’s election in October 2023 after legal challenges by opposition candidates.
As the 2027 election approaches, the APC is preparing to defend its record and consolidate its political support, while opposition figures and parties are seeking to challenge the ruling party’s hold on the presidency. The campaign council’s inaugural meeting on October 14 and the scheduled flag-off in Kaduna on October 24 are expected to mark key steps in the APC’s preparations. Further details of the proposed state visits and mobilisation programme are expected after the council’s inauguration.
For the ADC, National Chairman Sen. David Mark charged the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) at the weekend to leave no stone unturned and deliver electoral victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.
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Speaking at the weekend in Abuja at the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, urging members to work diligently, mobilise support and deliver electoral victory. He said Nigeria was at a critical crossroads, adding that Nigerians needed leadership that understood their challenges, respected their dignity and prioritised improving their lives.
According to him, the party’s responsibility goes beyond winning elections to presenting Nigerians with a credible alternative that restores public confidence in governance.
Mark urged the council to reach every state, local government, ward and community, engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths, workers, farmers, professionals, traders, artisans, students and persons with disabilities. He cautioned members against taking any community for granted, stressing the need to listen to Nigerians, address their concerns and earn their confidence.
The ADC chairman said the party’s campaign must focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the high cost of living, poverty, insecurity, unemployment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and inflation.
“Nigerians already know their problems. We do not need to lecture them about their sufferings. We must listen to them and tell them clearly how we intend to solve the problems,” he said. Mark described the party’s presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi as representing experience, capacity and national reach. He said the party would reach across regions, religions and ethnic nationalities, while promoting national unity, peaceful political competition and constructive engagement.
Addressing the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Mark urged them to present themselves as candidates for the entire country, stressing competence, integrity, inclusion and national unity. He advised them to respond to possible physical attacks with a friendly handshake and insults with smiles, rather than resorting to hostility.
He said every eligible Nigerian must be able to vote freely, safely and without intimidation, adding that the party would reject violence, hate speech and politics of revenge. Mark urged members of the campaign council to discharge their responsibilities with courage, discipline, humility and patriotism, noting that the assignment would require sacrifice, resources, patience, honesty and resilience. He subsequently inaugurated the PCC, expressing confidence in its ability to mobilise Nigerians and advance the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his acceptance speech, ADC PCC Chairman Kashim Ibrahim-Imam urged council members to unite ahead of the 2027 elections, calling on Nigerians to obtain their voter cards and protect their votes peacefully. He said the campaign would address rising food prices, transportation costs, electricity expenses, education, and healthcare, while promoting policies aimed at improving living standards
For the NDC, National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said the party officially flagged off its campaign activities for its candidates on August 21, 2026. The party will on October 20 will inaugurate its central Presidential Campaign Council.
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