The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned opposition parties not to be overly encouraged by the recent defeat of Kamala Harris, the sitting vice president, in the United States presidential election. APC asserted that President Bola Tinubu is poised to secure victory again in 2027.
Former President Donald Trump was declared the winner of the U.S. election on Wednesday, marking a remarkable political comeback that reverberated worldwide. At 78, Trump became the 47th president and set a record as the oldest person to win the White House.
In response, Obiora Ifo, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, praised the U.S. election as a true test of democracy, noting that it had global attention.
Obiora Ifoh noted that Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission could learn much from the recent U.S. election. He remarked on how the American electorate disregarded the power of incumbency, which remains a significant factor in African and particularly Nigerian elections.
Similarly, Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the New Nigeria Peoples Party, observed that while the U.S. electoral system is complex and has evolved significantly, Nigeria still grapples with leaders who use incumbency and security forces to suppress opposition, questioning when such practices will end.
However, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, cautioned the opposition against drawing parallels with the U.S. election, emphasizing that the electoral systems in the two countries are fundamentally different.
Bala, in an interview with our correspondent, explained that the incumbency factor doesn’t always guarantee success when the people unite, citing the 2015 victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari over incumbent Goodluck Jonathan as an example.
The APC spokesperson expressed confidence that once Nigerians start seeing the benefits of the president’s economic reforms, they will support and encourage him to continue.
While acknowledging the opposition’s threats, he assured that the party is not concerned, stressing that the country’s affairs would not be entrusted to the opposition, many of whom are still grappling with leadership challenges.
He also mentioned, “With the way and manner this administration of APC is working assiduously, bringing in new reforms and changes that are painful initially, we will reap the gains and fruits in the long run.
“We expect to start seeing the fruits of these reforms right around the time of the election. That should be around 2026 and 2027. It is at that time people will start clapping for the party and the president.
“It will be almost impossible for someone to come from the outside, particularly an outsider that has failed the country before; an outsider that cannot contain its own crisis, to think of defeating the incumbent. It will be very difficult. The APC and the president are very much aware of this expectation and shenanigans of the opposition.
However, this doesn’t mean the party or the president are inactive. On the contrary, they are planning ahead. When the time comes, we will see who has the strength to succeed. And I assure you, the APC will not be caught off guard or unprepared.
