2027: ‘APC Govs Can’t Dictate Tinubu’s Alliances’

Amb. Tajudeen Olesin, a former APC governor in Kwara State, recently joined the opposition PDP. While supporting the Rainbow Coalition led by Nyesom Wike, Olesin argued that APC governors should not dictate to President Tinubu the political alliances he can or cannot accept ahead of the 2027 elections. He challenged the governors to focus on their own records and achievements instead of trying to control the President's choices.

Olesin emphasized that political parties without presidential candidates have the right to support candidates from other platforms. He stated that there was no democratic principle that would forbid a party from associating with a presidential candidate chosen by another party. Instead of contesting the formation of these alliances, Olesin urged APC governors to showcase the impact their administrations have made on poverty reduction, education, healthcare, job creation, infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development, and social protection.

He called on them to demonstrate how increased resources have improved the lives of ordinary citizens. Olesin also argued that the President should be free to choose which alliances he finds useful for his re-election bid. He urged the governors to strengthen their party structures and engage voters with their performance rather than attempting to control political alliances.

Olesin believed that the ultimate contest should be taken to the electorate, where political actors present their records and make their case directly to the people.