LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — The Lagos State chapter of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said Saturday that appeals to ethnic sentiment will not derail President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.
Party spokesperson Seye Oladejo issued the statement in response to comments by Dele Momodu, a former presidential aspirant and ex-member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Momodu, who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had urged opposition parties to unite and leverage ethnic identity politics to challenge Tinubu’s presidency.
Oladejo dismissed the strategy as outdated and divisive, asserting that Nigerian voters have moved beyond ethnic allegiances.
“The era of exploiting ethnicity as a shortcut to power is over,” Oladejo said. “The electorate now prioritizes competence, vision, and tangible results over tribal rhetoric.”
He credited Tinubu’s administration with laying a foundation of equity, inclusion, and reform, citing progress in infrastructure, economic stabilization, and social investment.
“This government is demonstrating that leadership is driven by ideas, not identity,” Oladejo added.
He also criticized Momodu’s political trajectory, describing him as a “serial political tourist” and urging him to reassess his own strategy before advising others.
“The 2027 election will be a referendum on performance, not nostalgia,” Oladejo said. “Opposition theatrics will not resonate with a populace that demands results.”
The APC’s statement underscores growing tensions ahead of Nigeria’s next general election, as political actors begin to position themselves for the contest.
