The battle for the top spot in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 presidential campaign is heating up. Two APC chieftains, Hope Uzodinma, the Governor of Imo State, and Abdul'aziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, are vying for the position. The party's leadership has yet to make a decision, with different power brokers backing the two close allies of the president.
James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, is reportedly among those supporting Yari, along with some northern governors. Sources close to the president claim that Uzodinma has done a lot for the president and is likely to be chosen, with Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, as his running mate. This would balance both the religious and geographical equations.
The Tinubu Renewed Hope Campaign 2027 is expected to be launched soon, but the appointment of a campaign director is still up in the air. While Uzodinma has the backing of some southern governors, his northern counterparts have expressed opposition to his appointment due to regional balance concerns.
The power struggle within the APC is a clear indication that the party is not yet united behind President Tinubu's re-election bid. The fact that some governors and power brokers are openly backing different candidates suggests a lack of coordination and a possible split in the party. This could have far-reaching implications for the 2027 elections, particularly in the north where the APC is facing stiff competition from other parties. The party's leadership must take decisive action to resolve this crisis and present a united front to Nigerians.
