Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can be confident of securing a second term in office, despite opposition efforts to challenge his leadership in the 2027 election.
Speaking at a special Iftar/Lent dinner hosted by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) on Wednesday night in Abuja, Akpabio expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not only retain power but also expand its hold on elective positions across the country in 2027.
Applauding the efforts of Governor Hope Uzodinma, who leads the PGF, Akpabio urged party members to remain united and work toward the party’s success.
He said: “Can we say amen! We will offer prayers for our party, that yes, indeed, victory shall be ours in 2027. Can we say a loud amen! And we will also pray for Mr. President that his second term is assured. Can we shout a loud amen!
“So, for the party, our governors, you will grow in numbers, you will grow in numbers. On our part in the parliament, ours is to continue to add the numbers to you. We just recently sent one of our own in the Senate to go and take care of Edo State. Is that not a good thing?”
Governor Hope Uzodinma described the gathering as a platform for party leaders to reflect on national development and strategize for APC’s continued dominance.
He emphasized that the success of the ruling government should be seen as a collective responsibility.
“Because we practice partisan democracy, and because we produce the government, we must take ownership of the government no matter where we are and where we sit. The success of the government is our collective success. The failure of the government is our collective failure. And the government is like a product,” he said.
“And all of us are marketing officers that must market this product. So the whole idea behind this… is to once more have a platform to appreciate ourselves, to celebrate our own, because the government is our own.
“So, as we work towards a more prosperous Nigeria, as we confront the challenges of leadership and governance, it is like a sweet and sour soup. Sometimes it is sweet, sometimes it looks bitter and sour, but at the end of the day, it is a food we must all eat.”
Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, praised Tinubu’s administration for making bold economic decisions that have led to positive changes in the country.
“According to him, we are all living it. Inflation is down, food prices are coming down, energy prices are coming down, the exchange rate is stable.
“Those are the things that affect the cost of living that people are feeling. There are other figures and metrics that are behind the scenes. But what matters is how people are feeling, how it is impacting them. And that is why Mr. President continues to make every effort to intervene, particularly on behalf of the poor and the most vulnerable.
“For coming together, Muslim brothers and sisters observing Ramadan, Christian brothers and sisters observing Lent. In brotherhood and in sisterhood, we stand. God will keep us strong, make our party strong, and help us to support, encourage, and work with President Tinubu to make Nigeria strong, make Nigeria great.”
The high-profile event was attended by several political leaders and government officials, including: National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Governors; Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Monday Okpebholo, and Francis Nwifuru
Others were; former Governor Yahaya Bello, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, 36 state and FCT APC chairmen, members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
