The ruling party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned the opposition not to get too excited over US Vice President Kamala Harris’s defeat in the just concluded presidential election.
They pointed out that President Bola Tinubu, a key figure in Nigerian politics, is expected to win again in 2027, which could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.
In a stunning return that shocked many people worldwide, former President Donald Trump was proclaimed the victor of the US presidential election on Wednesday.
With his victory, the 78-year-old becomes the oldest person to win the White House and the 47th president.
Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, responded to the news by calling the US election a “true test of democracy” and pointing out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might gain essential insights from the procedure.
Ifoh emphasised that it was significant that the American electorate disregarded the incumbency factor, which has a significant impact on elections in Africa.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, also discussed the long-standing intricacy of the US electoral system and voiced optimism for a time when Nigeria would stop incumbents from intimidating opposition parties with their power and security apparatus.
Bala Ibrahim, the national publicity director for the APC, cautioned the opposition in light of the US election outcome, emphasising the differences in the voting systems of the US and Nigeria. This warning serves as a reminder to the public to stay vigilant and not be swayed by international events.
Ibrahim told Punch that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s triumph over then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 showed that incumbency does not necessarily translate into victory.
Ibrahim expressed his optimism that Nigerians would soon recognise the benefits of President Tinubu’s economic policies. This hopeful outlook is intended to inspire confidence in the ruling party’s plans and strategies.
He emphasised that the nation’s leadership would not be left to those battling internally. He stated that the party was unfazed by threats from the opposition.
He said, “With the way and manner this administration of APC is working assiduously, bringing in new reforms and changes that are painful initially, we will reap the gains and fruits in the long run.
“We expect to start seeing the fruits of these reforms right around the time of the election. That should be around 2026 and 2027. At that time, people started clapping for the party and the president.
“It will be almost impossible for someone to come from the outside, mainly an outsider that has failed the country before, an outsider that cannot contain its crisis, to think of defeating the incumbent.
It will be tough. The APC and the president are very aware of this expectation and the shenanigans of the opposition.
“But it is not to say that the party and the president are sleeping. No, they are strategising ahead. So, when we get to the bridge, we will see who have the strongest stride to cross it.
And I assure you, the APC will find anything. It will not be caught napping. This resilience should instil confidence in the public about the party’s ability to navigate challenges and emerge stronger.
