APC Declares: Even if INEC Chair’s Son Runs, Tinubu Is Poised to Win 2027

As political speculation intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired a confident flourish: regardless of who chairs the Independent National Electoral Commission even if it's the son of a presidential contender President Bola Tinubu will still emerge victorious.

The APC, Nigeria’s ruling party, has voiced unwavering confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects for the 2027 general elections, issuing a bold statement even amid swirling talk about a change in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Addressing these rumors, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru emphatically declared that the party’s focus remains squarely on mobilizing members and reinforcing its grassroots support, rather than influencing which candidate presides over elections. He dismissed the notion that the party would meddle with INEC appointments, stating, “How can you be asking a player to recommend a referee? We are players and don’t care about which referee was brought to officiate the match".

Basiru also elaborated that INEC appointments should properly fall under the jurisdiction of civil society organizations and lawmakers, distancing the APC from any such involvement.

In a striking assertion, he further opined that even if the incoming INEC chairman happened to be the father of a presidential candidate from an opposing party, Tinubu would still decisively win in 2027.

This bold pronouncement signals the APC’s effort to project confidence amid a turbulent political landscape. With INEC’s current head, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, approaching the end of his tenure, discussions about a successor have intensified. Against this backdrop, the party’s refusal to engage in such decisions highlights its intention to publicly position itself above concerns of manipulation, instead leaning on its perceived popularity and organizing strength.

The APC's messaging comes at a time when the party is facing increasing scrutiny from opposition groups forming coalitions aimed at challenging its dominance. By pushing back against speculation of undue influence, the party appears to be reaffirming its belief in the power of its political machinery and voter base.