The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the growing “Tinubu Must Go” campaign, describing it as an opposition-driven movement that does not represent the position of the wider Nigerian electorate.
The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration and outlined the ruling party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
Yilwatda claimed that internal surveys conducted by the APC across several states indicated strong electoral support for the president, although he did not publicly provide the figures supporting those findings.
According to him, the party’s confidence is based on its own assessments of the political landscape rather than public criticism of the administration.
He maintained that Tinubu remains well-positioned within the party’s internal polling and expressed confidence in the APC’s electoral preparations.
The chairman also questioned the ability of opposition parties to mount a serious challenge, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), associated with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), linked to Peter Obi.
He argued that the opposition’s electoral record placed it at a disadvantage, while describing Tinubu as a stronger political leader than Atiku.
Beyond electoral calculations, Yilwatda addressed growing public concerns about Nigeria’s economic difficulties, particularly the rising cost of petrol and its effects on households.
Although he acknowledged the financial pressure facing Nigerians, he characterised the situation as temporary and expressed confidence that the administration’s policies would eventually deliver improvements.
He also defended the federal government’s tax reforms, arguing that expanding the tax base had increased public revenue while providing benefits to lower-income Nigerians.
On electricity, the APC chairman highlighted reforms allowing state governments to participate more directly in power generation, transmission and distribution.
Responding to allegations that membership of the ruling party offers protection from prosecution, Yilwatda denied that the APC shields politicians from legal consequences.
He maintained that party members facing criminal allegations could still be prosecuted, insisting that political affiliation did not place anyone above the law.
Meanwhile, preparations for Tinubu’s anticipated re-election campaign are progressing, with Yilwatda confirming that the APC is reviewing its presidential campaign council list before its inauguration.
He also welcomed support from political organisations outside the ruling party, including the Rainbow Coalition associated with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Despite the growing opposition campaign and continuing debate over the administration’s economic record, Yilwatda maintained that the APC remained confident in its political standing ahead of 2027.
However, the party’s internal polling claims have not been independently substantiated, leaving the extent of public support for the president open to further scrutiny.
