The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru, has challenged opposition figures eyeing the presidency in 2027 to render a transparent account of their past public stewardship before presenting themselves to Nigerians as credible alternatives to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Basiru’s position was contained in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, quoting the APC scribe while addressing former legislative leaders at a conference organised by the Kaduna State Chapter of the Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, themed ‘Kaduna 2026: United Voices of Experience, All Together for Tinubu 2027.’
Targeting opposition figures who previously held high-ranking government offices, the APC scribe urged Nigerians to critically examine the performance and policy decisions of critics who now promise quick fixes to complex economic challenges.
Singling out former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Basiru questioned the credibility of his alternative economic prescriptions given his past leadership roles in key government policies, particularly the privatisation and disposal of public enterprises.
He warned the electorate against politically motivated promises designed solely to gather votes ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging opposition figures to base their campaign rhetoric on verifiable facts and realistic solutions.
‘Opposition figures seeking electoral advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections must account for their records in office before presenting themselves as credible alternatives to the current administration,’ Basiru stated, cautioning Nigerians against ‘unrealistic promises and politically motivated narratives.’
Defending the ruling party’s economic record, Basiru emphasised that President Tinubu inherited severe fiscal challenges that required decisive, courage-driven policy shifts, including removing the petrol subsidy and unifying the foreign exchange market.
He noted that while these measures initially caused economic pressures, they have fundamentally restructured Nigeria’s public finances, substantially expanding the revenue base of state governments.
‘The improved financial capacity of state governments represents an important development in Nigeria’s public finance management,’ he noted, adding that states are now better positioned to pay salaries, service pensions, and fund key infrastructure projects.
Basiru later charged former State Assembly presiding officers to use their political experience and grassroots influence to counter opposition rhetoric, educate citizens on the long-term benefits of ongoing reforms, and build momentum for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
‘The task ahead requires sustained mobilisation, strategic communication, and unity among party stakeholders,’ Basiru said, adding that the collective experience of former legislative leaders will be crucial to securing victory for President Tinubu and the APC in 2027.