Adamawa 2027: Tinubu’s victory over Villa backed candidate offers lesson to APC aspirants

As permutations ahead of the 2027 Adamawa governorship election continue to intensify, growing discussions around endorsements and alleged presidential backing have triggered anxiety within sections of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

The events leading to the APC presidential primary in 2022 remain a clear example. At the time, the party was under the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari, while Bola Tinubu was widely regarded as the national leader of the APC. Despite Tinubu’s towering influence within the party, there were obvious attempts by powerful interests to stop his emergence as the presidential candidate.

Then APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, publicly announced Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s consensus candidate. The declaration immediately created political tension across the country, as many party members believed the move reflected the preference of the Presidency at the time.

Tinubu, however, did not retreat, In what later became one of the defining political moments before the primary election, Tinubu travelled to Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he openly declared “Emi lokan” meaning “it is my turn”. The statement was interpreted as both a declaration of ambition and a direct response to the growing political resistance against him.

What followed remains significant, Rather than relying on public sympathy or endless complaints about the perceived gang up against him, Tinubu focused on the delegates and the political process. He demanded only one thing: a free and fair primary election. When the contest eventually took place at Eagle Square in Abuja, Tinubu defeated other aspirants despite the obvious obstacles placed before him.

That experience should serve as an important lesson for governorship aspirants in Adamawa ahead of 2027, Politics within the APC has never been won through lamentation. Serious politicians test their popularity through party structures, consultations and delegate mobilisation. Those who spend more time complaining about endorsements than building support across the state may already be admitting political weakness.

It is also important to understand that invoking the President’s name does not automatically translate into electoral victory. In many cases, aspirants who constantly hide behind claims of presidential backing are often attempting to compensate for their own political deficiencies.

Strong politicians do not fear competition, the APC primary in Adamawa, whenever it eventually holds, will ultimately depend on political organisation, alliances, grassroots support and delegate calculations. No endorsement can substitute for genuine popularity within party structures.

The Tinubu example in 2022 demonstrated that even a perceived “Villa candidate” can be defeated if another aspirant possesses stronger political networks, resilience and strategic calculation.

For Adamawa aspirants, the message is straightforward: stop crying over rumours of endorsements and prepare for the real contest. Politics rewards organisation, not panic.