EXTRA: Tinubu should be Nigeria’s sole candidate in 2027 — not just for APC’s, says Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says President Bola Tinubu should be the sole presidential candidate not just for the All Progressives Congress (APC), but for the entire country in 2027.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the APC summit, Akpabio praised Tinubu’s “political sagacity” and said the president has placed the country on a path of economic growth.

“The political sagacity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in view of the fact that despite very difficult times, he has been able to set Nigeria on a path of growth, confirmed by the International Monetary Fund,” he said.

“In view of the fact that Nigerians are grassroots people, they are very excited; in view of the fact that even the members of the national assembly and senators said they have never had it this good.”

Akpabio called on members of the national assembly at the summit to stand up and endorse Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“The leadership of the house of representatives should join me,” he said.

“I want all the members of the national assembly of the APC extraction to stand up wherever they are.

“I want distinguished senators to stand up wherever they are. And you will re-echo what I’m going to say. Those who love you will also join.

“I want to move, and let it be moved, that not only will President Bola Ahmed Tinubu be a sole candidate for the presidency in 2027, but he will also be a sole candidate for the whole Nigerian population.

“Because all other political parties have been turned into shreds. I went to my state, and I saw the umbrella of the PDP. It has over 100 holes.

“And so, very soon you will hear. I’m not the one to break the news. But I know the national chairman has already broken the news that everything in the south-south has collapsed for you. And that is the same thing that is happening in the nation.

“Nigerians are saying that because you have done a difficult job well, it is time for us to reward you by sending you back to the presidency for a second term in office.

“I move, therefore, as the senate president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that Mr President return, one, as a candidate of the APC unopposed, and secondly, as the next president for a second term, come 2027. I so move.”

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, seconded the motion.

“I stand on behalf of the whole entire 109 senators, 360 members, and all the 36 speakers and their members to second this very important motion moved by the senate president,” Abbas said.

Earlier, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) formally endorsed Tinubu as the sole candidate of the APC for the 2027 presidential election.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state and chairman of the forum, announced the decision on Thursday at the APC summit.