The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has described the coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election as a desperate attempt that lacks ideology.
Speaking at the National Executive Committee meeting of the APC at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, the Speaker said the coalition, which has now adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the election, only wants to replicate the merger of political parties to form the APC ahead of the 2023 election.
Speaker Abbas said: “Since our last (APC NEC) meeting, the opposition has undergone seismic shifts. The PDP is fracturing due to leadership tussles and defections, with many members joining either the APC or a new opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This coalition, cobbled from former PDP, APC, and Labour Party players, plots to challenge us in 2027.
“While this poses a challenge, it is a desperate coalition attempting to replicate our 2013 APC merger. Their unity appears opportunistic, and their lack of a clear ideology weakens their appeal compared to our proven and tested governance.”
He added: “Smaller parties, such as the Labour Party and the NNPP, are clearly in decline. The Labour Party’s momentum has drastically diminished. The NNPP buckles beneath bitter bickering and internal conflicts. The ADC is desperately courting other parties, such as the SDP and PRP.
“Amidst all these, the APC must remain vigilant, preparing for a potentially united opposition in 2027. The APC’s dominance is clear, but complacency is not an option. The formation of the ADC coalition necessitates a proactive response. We must strengthen internal cohesion by addressing grievances and rewarding loyalty, ensuring no faction feels sidelined.”
The Speaker, who noted that the APC NEC meeting took place “at this critical moment for our party and nation,” said that since the last meeting in February, Nigeria’s political landscape has undergone significant shifts, necessitating a strategic response.
Speaker Abbas also noted that the APC has navigated a smooth leadership transition following the resignation of its National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on June 27, 2025, and the election of his successor, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development “under the guidance of President Tinubu.”
While stating that the APC’s maturity in managing this transition without rancour underscores members’ unity and discipline, he said their strength continues to grow, bolstered by defections from opposition parties. “These defections affirm the APC’s credibility as the party of choice for progressive Nigerians. I warmly welcome our new members and assure them of our commitment to good governance,” he said.
In the past two years, Speaker Abbas disclosed that the APC-dominated House of Representatives has passed a record number of bills, with 57 of them signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, which he rated “a record achievement.”
He added that the parliament’s rigorous oversight ensures the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting strong synergy between the executive and legislative branches.
He said: “President Tinubu’s reforms have stabilised the economy, with reserves rising from $4 billion in 2023 to over $40 billion in July 2025. Inflation has decreased, with food inflation dropping by 7.02 percentage points from June 2024 to June 2025. We must build on these gains, share the facts with Nigerians, and highlight the hard work that has made these achievements possible.
“Mr. President, fellow party members, as we deliberate today on the challenges ahead, I recommend that we establish a high-level strategy committee to neutralise the coalition. We must expose them for what they are: a recycled, ambition-driven group lacking fresh ideas. At the same time, we must intensify outreach to all geopolitical zones.
“As we prepare for the next battles, our internal organisation needs to be beyond reproach. That means conducting our party congresses and primaries with the utmost fairness and transparency.
“Additionally, we must prioritise the inclusion of youth and women in party leadership, as these groups constitute a significant portion of the electorate that we must inspire. If the opposition is promoting a narrative of “new and young” (though ironically many of their champions are not young), we can counter this by genuinely empowering a new generation within the APC.”
The Speaker stated that the implications of recent developments boil down to a simple truth: “The APC must not rest on its laurels.”
He added: “We have the advantage, but we must work twice as hard to keep it. We must be united, performance-driven, people-centric, and clever in our politics. If we do so, no opposition alliance can defeat us because we will have the trust of the majority of Nigerians. We must rally around President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, publicising his achievements to inspire confidence.”
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