APC’s Early Campaigns Show Desperation; Nigerians Deserve Better Governance (ACF)
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has chastised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for initiating premature campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the move as a show of “desperation” and a “distraction” from government.
Tukur Mohammed-Baba, an ACF spokesperson, blasted the proliferation of campaign posters for President Bola Tinubu in places such as Abuja and Lagos, urging the ruling party to put performance over propaganda.
“This is disappointing. We believed that there are more serious issues to address than the widespread presence of campaign posters. They have appeared in the streets, on billboards, and elsewhere, but we believe there are more serious concerns.
“What will sell any party is not posters; it will be their performance in office or, if they are coming for the first time, their promises and how people assess them,” claimed the politician.
Mohammed-Baba chastised the APC for transferring its priorities from government to politics.
“It shows a party desperate for propaganda, for communication, so that the issue at hand is confused with what needs to be done,” he said.
“We’ve taken our eyes off governance and off performance, and we are now putting it under the intentions to campaign, and it’s very unfortunate.”
The ACF’s objection follows the appearance of posters endorsing President Tinubu’s reelection. This provoked controversy regarding the legitimacy of such operations, considering that the official campaign season has yet to begin and the present administration is only two years into office.
Mohammed-Baba refuted APC supporters’ claims that the posters were created by independent people, claiming that the materials’ size and coordination reflect a premeditated campaign.
“In general, I believe the party should not try to play on the electorate’s intelligence by saying, ‘Oh, we have not started the campaign; these are done by people on their own.’
“It’s not true, and it makes no sense. “There is a serious campaign going on,” he explained.
Addressing the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in regulating such activities, Mohammed-Baba acknowledged the difficulties faced by the informal nature of the campaigns.
“There is undoubtedly a role for the electoral commission, but it depends on how the campaign is carried out.
“It is simple to dispute that ‘currently we have not formally declared a campaign; we only talk about expressions of purpose, declarations of support by supporters,’ and so on. However, he recognised that the campaign has already begun.
The ACF’s views come as Tinubu’s re-election attempt in 2027 gains support within the APC, with recent endorsements from party caucuses, the Progressive Governors’ Forum, and others.
In May, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, and Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, backed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
At the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit, Akpabio led a delegation of National Assembly leadership to support Tinubu for the 2027 general elections, claiming that if Tinubu had not performed well in power in the previous two years, lawmakers would have impeached him.
However, Mohammed-Baba stated that the ACF has not endorsed any candidate, despite allegations to the contrary.
“The ACF has not endorsed anybody,” he said, answering questions regarding the forum’s stance.