Key Takeaways

• APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru says Northern Nigeria remains a stronghold of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 election.
• He claims that political elites and ordinary citizens in the region support the APC.
• Basiru cited the Arewa for Asiwaju campaign office as an example of political activity supporting President Bola Tinubu.
• He also referred to former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu when discussing opposition figures he said were coming to work with the APC.
• Basiru criticised opposition parties for allegedly struggling to accept electoral defeats, arguing that losses are part of the democratic process.

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election, claiming that prominent political figures and ordinary citizens in the region support the ruling party.

Basiru made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, where he described the North as a stronghold of the APC and cited the Arewa for Asiwaju campaign office and former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu among the examples supporting his position.

Basiru Says Northern Nigeria Supports APC Ahead of 2027

Speaking during the television interview, Basiru said the APC’s political strength in Northern Nigeria would become clearer during the 2027 election.

He argued that support for the ruling party extended beyond political officeholders to influential figures in business and industry, as well as ordinary citizens.

“The strength of the APC is in the Northern part of this country and you will see it by the grace of God when election comes in 2027.”

— Senator Ajibola Basiru, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, as reported in the supplied article.

Basiru also pointed to a campaign office known as Arewa for Asiwaju, which he said had attracted prominent figures from different sectors.

According to him, the gathering of political, economic and industrial leaders to support the campaign was an indication of the party’s position in the region.

Arewa for Asiwaju and Babangida Aliyu Reference

Basiru cited the establishment of the Arewa for Asiwaju campaign office as one of the developments he believes demonstrates support for Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.

He also referred to former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu while discussing political figures he said were moving towards supporting the APC’s campaign.

“Even some who are in the opposition party have changed, people like the former governor of Niger State Babangida Aliyu, now all of them are coming to join and work for the APC. The truth is that today, when you see the creme de la creme of Northern Nigeria, they are with us, you see the masses of Northern Nigeria are with us.”

— Senator Ajibola Basiru, as reported in the supplied article.

The statement reflects Basiru’s assessment of the APC’s political standing in Northern Nigeria. However, his broad claim about support across the region should be understood as a political assertion rather than independent evidence that all Northern voters or political groups back the ruling party.

Basiru Criticises Opposition Parties Over Electoral Defeats

Beyond discussing the APC’s prospects in the North, Basiru criticised opposition parties over their responses to electoral losses.

He argued that politicians who seek the benefits of winning elections must also be prepared to accept defeat. He said the APC had experienced losses in court cases and political contests but had accepted the outcomes and moved forward.

Basiru linked this argument to what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s position on democratic competition.

“One of the things that our leader President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said is that anybody that wants that savour the joy of victory in a democracy must also be able to endure the pain when he loses. But in the case of Nigeria, it appears that the opposition only wants to win, they don’t want to lose. We have had our fair share of losses both in the court and in the political contests, and we have taken it, learn our lessons and moved on.”

— Senator Ajibola Basiru, as reported in the supplied article.

His comments present electoral defeat as an ordinary part of democratic competition and challenge opposition parties to demonstrate the same willingness to accept losses that he says the APC has shown.

The remarks are Basiru’s characterisation of opposition conduct; the supplied report does not include responses from opposition parties to his criticism.

What Basiru’s Remarks Mean for the 2027 Campaign

Basiru’s comments place regional support and political mobilisation at the centre of the APC’s campaign messaging ahead of the 2027 election.

By referring to Arewa for Asiwaju, prominent political figures and grassroots support, he sought to present the ruling party as well-positioned in Northern Nigeria. His comments about accepting electoral defeat also introduce a separate argument about how political parties should respond to election outcomes.

Whether the support Basiru described translates into votes in 2027 cannot be established from the interview alone. The actual electoral picture will depend on voters’ choices and developments during the campaign period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Ajibola Basiru say about Northern Nigeria and the APC?

Basiru claimed that Northern Nigeria was a stronghold of the APC and said prominent political figures and ordinary citizens in the region supported the ruling party ahead of the 2027 election.

Where did Basiru make the remarks?

He made the comments during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, according to the supplied article.

What is Arewa for Asiwaju?

Arewa for Asiwaju is the name of a campaign office Basiru cited as an example of political mobilisation in support of President Bola Tinubu.

Why did Basiru mention Babangida Aliyu?

Basiru referred to the former Niger State governor while arguing that some figures previously associated with opposition politics were coming to work with the APC. The supplied article does not independently verify the full status of Aliyu’s political alignment.

What did Basiru say about opposition parties?

He criticised opposition parties for what he described as their reluctance to accept electoral defeat, arguing that both victory and loss are part of democracy.

Does Basiru’s statement prove that Northern voters support the APC?

No. His remarks express his political assessment. The interview, as presented in the supplied article, does not independently establish the preferences of all Northern voters.

Conclusion

Senator Ajibola Basiru has expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the Arewa for Asiwaju campaign office and political figures he said were coming to support the ruling party.

He also used the interview to criticise opposition parties over their responses to electoral defeat, arguing that accepting losses is part of democratic competition.

His statements offer a view of how the APC is presenting its electoral position ahead of 2027. Whether the claimed regional support translates into votes will ultimately be determined by voters and the course of the election campaign.