2027: APC campaign'll focus on Tinubu's achievements, not promises: Yari

The 2027 presidential race is shaping up to be a campaign of records rather than rhetoric. Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari, the newly appointed director‑general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, told a gathering of Zamfara traditional rulers that the party will lean on Bola Tinubu’s past achievements to win votes, not fresh promises or attacks on opponents. The message is clear: Nigerians will see what the Tinubu administration has already done, not what it might do next.

Yari’s stance marks a deliberate shift from the promise‑heavy campaigns that dominated the 2023 election cycle. Instead of framing the contest around “what we will do if elected,” the APC will highlight the tangible outcomes of Tinubu’s tenure. This approach rests on the belief that Nigerians, having witnessed the June 12 crisis and other national challenges, are more convinced by proven results than by future pledges. By spotlighting the administration’s accomplishmentswhether infrastructure projects, security initiatives, or economic policiesthe party aims to build a narrative of continuity and competence.

The meeting in Gusau was more than a symbolic gesture. Yari’s first official engagement as director‑general was with the Zamfara traditional rulers, who still command significant influence in rural communities. The governor, Dauda Lawal, described Yari as “son of the soil,” underscoring the expectation that the campaign will tap into the cultural legitimacy that these leaders wield. Traditional authorities serve as a bridge between the party and grassroots voters, and their endorsement can translate into mobilised support on the ground. In a country where political allegiance often intertwines with cultural identity, this partnership is a tactical advantage for the APC.

The APC’s focus on achievements also responds to the broader sense of national fragility that has gripped Nigeria. Yari highlighted the “June 12 crisis” and the subsequent fears that the country might not survive. By reminding voters of the stability and unity that the Tinubu administration has preserved, the party seeks to assuage anxieties about the future. This messaging is particularly resonant in regions like Zamfara, where traditional leaders and the governor pledged 100 percent support for the president in the 2027 elections. The campaign’s emphasis on unity and continuity is designed to counter any narratives of division or instability that opponents might exploit.

Nigeria’s political discourse has long oscillated between charismatic promises and concrete delivery. In recent years, a growing segment of the electorate has begun to demand evidence of progress rather than rhetorical flourishes. The APC’s strategy aligns with this shift, positioning itself as the steward of tangible change. By foregrounding achievements, the party taps into a cultural appetite for accountability and results. This trend is not isolated to Nigerian politics; across Africa, parties increasingly rely on data and milestones to validate their governance, reflecting a continent-wide move toward performance‑based politics.

If the APC successfully leverages traditional support and presents a compelling record, it could consolidate its hold on key states like Zamfara and beyond. However, the opposition may counter by highlighting gaps in the Tinubu administration’s achievements or by presenting alternative solutions. In any case, the 2027 campaign will likely see a heightened focus on measurable outcomesroad projects, security metrics, and economic indicatorsrather than vague promises. I predict that the APC’s narrative will dominate early media coverage, setting the tone for a campaign that is more about what has been done than what will be done.

The 2027 election will ultimately test whether a legacy‑centric campaign can outpace a promise‑laden one. For the APC, the answer lies in its ability to translate past successes into present electoral advantage, a challenge that will shape the political landscape for years to come.