2027: Opposition Parties Turn Up Heat On APC

TheMatrix Newspaper gathers that opposition parties in the last 24 hours have ramped up activities to unsettle the APC.

According to sources, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to deepen internal preparations for the 2027 general elections as it moves to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate at a Special National Convention slated for Saturday.

The event is scheduled to hold at the ‘A’ Class Event Centre along Kassim Ibrahim Way in Wuse 2, Abuja, beginning at 10 a.m., according to an invitation signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan.

The invitation described the gathering as a “Special National Convention for the Ratification of the Nomination of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,” signaling a decisive push by the faction to consolidate its position ahead of the 2027 polls.

The development follows a series of political moves by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction, which has steadily positioned Jonathan as its preferred candidate in the unfolding internal realignment within the party.

As part of that process, the faction’s screening committee had earlier granted Jonathan a waiver and cleared him as the sole presidential aspirant on May 19, a decision that effectively set the stage for his emergence.

Former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, who chaired the screening committee, explained that the waiver was granted in recognition of Jonathan’s extensive political experience, including his roles as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president of Nigeria.

The faction further conducted its presidential primary earlier on Wednesday, May 28, as part of preparatory steps leading to Saturday’s ratification exercise.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has also embarked on a fence mending mission following a raucous presidential primary.

The Presidential candidate of rhe party, Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that there is an “urgent responsibility on patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions that can rescue our country from drift and despair”.

In an X post made after visiting Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Thursday in Abuja, Atiku said they spoke on the “troubling state” of the country and the need for patriotic Nigerians to seek solutions to national challenges.

“This afternoon, I visited my brother and compatriot, former governor of Rivers state and ex-minister of transportation, chief Rotimi Amaechi, at his Abuja residence,” he wrote.

“Beyond the warmth and camaraderie, we had deep and honest conversations about the troubling state of our nation, the growing economic pain, insecurity, and the urgent responsibility on patriotic Nigerians to continue engaging in the search for solutions that can rescue our country from drift and despair.”

The ADC presidential candidate also congratulated Amaechi on his birthday and jested over the English premier league new champion Arsenal’s recent success.

“I also felicitated with him on the occasion of his birthday yesterday and teased that Arsenal’s historic triumph could not have arrived at a better time. chief Amaechi, a thoroughly well-loaded Gunner, took the banter in very good spirits,” he added.

“In true Rivers hospitality, he apologised for not having enough time to prepare Fisherman Soup, a delicacy I have now been promised on our return for the second leg.”

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has also formally affirmed Prince Laja Adeoye as its governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State election, setting the stage for what the party says will be a determined challenge to the long-standing dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

This is even as Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has declared Bimbo Adekanmbi, the governorship candidate of the APM, as his preferred successor for 2027.

Speaking shortly after his affirmation, the APM standard-bearer in Lagos expressed gratitude to party delegates and leaders for the confidence reposed in him, describing his emergence as both an honour and a responsibility.

According to him, the mandate represents an opportunity to provide purposeful leadership and offer Lagos residents what he termed a credible alternative to years of governance under the APC.

In a speech laced with optimism and political resolve, Adeoye congratulated other successful candidates of the party contesting for seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate, urging all aspirants to remain united in pursuit of a common objective.

He stressed that internal cohesion would be critical to the party’s success as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next general election cycle.

The governorship candidate also commended party leaders, alliance partners and grassroots supporters for remaining steadfast despite what he described as political and legal challenges confronting the party.

He paid special tribute to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and the national leadership of the APM for their support and contributions toward strengthening the party’s structures across the country.

Adeoye declared that the APM was determined to provide Lagosians with a platform anchored on accountability, transparency and people-centred governance.

He accused the APC-led administration of failing to adequately address pressing challenges facing residents, including unemployment, poverty, flooding, inadequate healthcare, infrastructure deficits and growing security concerns.

To address these issues, the APM candidate unveiled an ambitious development agenda tagged “Àtunto Èkó 1.0: Re-Engineering Lagos For Inclusive Prosperity.”

The blueprint, he said, is designed to reposition Lagos through policies that promote sustainable economic growth, job creation, affordable housing, quality education, improved healthcare services, infrastructure renewal and inclusive governance.

Adeoye further pledged to create an enabling environment for investment, support small and medium-scale enterprises, expand transportation networks, improve electricity supply and tackle the perennial flooding challenges affecting many communities across the state.

On security, he promised to strengthen community policing initiatives and support the establishment of Amotekun in Lagos State as part of broader efforts to improve public safety and protect lives and property.

The governorship hopeful also identified youth empowerment, social welfare and equitable development as critical pillars of his administration if elected in 2027.

He called on party members, supporters and Lagos residents to rally behind the APM, insisting that the state stands at a critical crossroads requiring fresh ideas, visionary leadership and a renewed commitment to inclusive development.

In Oyo State, on Thursday, during Adekanmbi’s unveiling as the APM consensus governorship candidate, Makinde openly declared him his preferred successor.

“I am here to tell you all two things. First, I want to thank you for your support towards this administration and also for the current political arrangement in Oyo state, which will also go national very soon. You have tasted Omituntun 1.0 and 2.0. Is it sweet, or not?

This is Omituntun 3.0,” the governor said as he and Adekanmbi raised their APM face caps before jubilant supporters.

With political alignments already beginning to take shape ahead of 2027, Adeoye and Adekanmbi’s emergence signals the APM’s intention to play a more prominent role in Lagos and Oyo politics and challenge the established order in a state long regarded as the APC’s strongest political fortress.

For the APM, the battle for Lagos has begun. For Adeoye, the task now is to transform campaign promises into a movement capable of convincing millions of Lagosians that a new political direction is possible.