Kogi Ex-Governor Predicts Big Win for APC in 2027, Supports Tinubu

The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has predicted a big win for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election. He says that northern political leaders are rallying support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Mr Bello mentioned the newly formed Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) movement. He believes this group will help gather support for Mr Tinubu throughout northern Nigeria. He argues that the president deserves a second term to finish his eight-year term.

He spoke on Sunday during an interview on TVC News’ Politics on Sunday. He defended the government's record, especially in infrastructure and security. He also criticized former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for switching political parties frequently.

The former governor stated that the A4A movement includes key political figures like former governors and senators. These leaders still have political structures and supporters in their areas.

Mr Bello believes that these influential members will help gather votes for Mr Tinubu in 2027. He disagreed with comments made by former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed about the influence of northern leaders. He said he could not speak for Mr Baba-Ahmed but felt the same scrutiny should apply to other politicians.

He pointed to Kogi State as an example, where political leaders are working to gain support for Mr Tinubu. "There are other strong political groups in the North, and business and academia in the North who want President Tinubu back in office," he said.

Mr Bello noted that these leaders have agreed to support Mr Tinubu for another term. He praised the president’s achievements and the direction of his administration. He pointed to the Abuja-Kano road project as an example. This project started under former President Muhammadu Buhari but was not finished before Mr Tinubu took over.

According to Mr Bello, the project is almost done, with less than five percent left to complete. He said the ongoing construction under Mr Tinubu highlights the failures of the previous administration, which was led by a northerner.

"Those who are saying that the constructions that are ongoing now, they are simply indicting the previous administration of the northern extraction," he said. Mr Bello added that the roads being built now would last for decades, with some designed to endure for 20 to 30 years.

He defended the federal government’s approach to insecurity. He said the authorities can’t reveal every detail of their operations. He warned that announcing security successes could put military and security personnel at risk.

"Coming to announce the victory, you are simply exposing yourselves to the enemy," he said. The former governor also claimed that some forces outside Nigeria do not want the country to be stable. He stressed that the public should not expect the government to share every detail of its security plans.

Mr Bello is confident that the APC will win the presidential election and also do well in legislative and governorship elections nationwide. He stated that the party is working to build alliances beyond its current members, even though it is the ruling party.

He mentioned that the leaders behind Arewa for Asiwaju have political networks they can use to support Mr Tinubu. He dismissed any idea of confusion among the group’s members about their political loyalties. He said they are united in their support for the president’s re-election.

Mr Bello also argued that the APC’s political strength goes beyond its current members. He claimed that some politicians who left the party have now returned. He pointed to Mr Tinubu’s history as proof of his electoral strength, stating that the president has never lost an election.

The former governor criticized Mr Atiku, saying his frequent party changes have weakened his support. "Atiku has left several political parties unsettled. If you are not consistent in a political party, you lose followership," he said.

He added that Nigeria needs political stability and strong party structures. He accused opposition politicians of failing to come together ahead of the 2027 election. "The election result will speak for itself. There will be massive votes and a decisive victory," Mr Bello said.