Follow our weekly build-up to the 2027 general election, as we bring you updates on political rhetoric, debates, campaigns and more as Nigeria heads towards the much-anticipated polls.

On 14 October 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) inaugurated its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, a move intended to establish responsibilities and assign roles as campaigns are expected to kick off later in October.

A Broad Guest List

In attendance were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and his wife Nana Shettima, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and state assemblies, local government chairmen and ward leaders of the APC.

Also present were three prominent political figures who are not members of the APC: Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Their names were included in the revised and final campaign council list. Governor Adeleke and Governor Soludo were assigned to coordinate mobilisation in their respective states, while the FCT Minister was assigned responsibility for both the FCT and Rivers State.

Numbers and Political Consensus

The APC currently controls 31 of Nigeria's 36 states and maintains a strong presence in the state assemblies, the Senate and the House of Representatives. In addition, public expressions of support from figures such as Governor Soludo and Governor Adeleke, who have reaffirmed their backing for the President's re-election in 2027, have created a considerable degree of consensus among political elites around the preferred presidential candidate.

The decision to include opposition figures in the campaign structure has been described by supporters as unprecedented and as a strategy to canvass for votes beyond party lines. For others, it represents a move towards promoting unity and political cooperation.

According to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the expanded council represents a "rainbow coalition" bringing together politicians from different parties. He said: "My point, Mr President, is that in this country, in the best interests of the Nigerian people, a rainbow coalition, indeed, is on the move and very much on course."

The term was also used by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to describe the alliance between APC members and politicians from other parties working towards President Tinubu's re-election.

The Invited Governors’ Remarks

Governor Soludo, speaking for APGA, linked the alliance to national unity. He said: "APGA believes in the unity of Nigeria. We believe in the security of Nigeria. We believe in the shared prosperity of Nigeria." He also observed: "This is the first time we have about thirty-three governors seated here in support of a sitting President."

On economic reforms, Soludo said: "The path that you have chosen, that you have had the courage to take, is a difficult but necessary and required path." He added: "We are with you. We are a partner in this journey back to Aso Rock, and we will remain your partner in the governance process."

Governor Adeleke emphasised his support for the President and called for more time for reforms to take effect. He said: "We must give our father, the President of this nation, time for his reform to work. It's not easy. Four years is not enough." He continued: "We don't have time. The work has begun. I've already started mine." He concluded: "We're going to sing; we're going to dance all the way back to Aso Rock." He further stated: "Nobody can stop this movement."

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, reaffirmed his role and his commitment to deliver both Rivers State and the FCT. Reflecting on the administration's record, he said: "Previous administrations identified our problems, but did not tackle them. You have not shied away from tackling such problems. You tackled them from Day One."

He also urged governors to focus on their respective states. He said: "If you don't deliver your states and the President wins, don't say we have won. It's not a question of whether I am chairman, secretary or member of this. What is important is for the President to win." He added: "By the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

President Tinubu's Response

President Tinubu thanked party members and supporters and stressed that governance would continue alongside campaign preparations. He said: "The responsibility of this office does not pause. That responsibility did not recognise our agenda here today."

He acknowledged advice that campaign activities should not distract from governance. He said: "You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before."

He added: "The APC is ready. We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council; we have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with the Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria's governing party."

A New Dimension

The formation of this rainbow coalition introduces a new dimension to Nigeria's political landscape, where differences are being set aside in pursuit of a shared objective. Beyond the numbers, the alliance presents an opportunity to test a strategy of canvassing beyond traditional party lines, fostering political cooperation and broadening democratic engagement as the 2027 presidential election draws closer.