Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dismissed claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the 2027 general election will pit the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Nigerian people, describing the framing as misleading and politically inaccurate.
Speaking during a televised political programme, Sule argued that elections in Nigeria are fundamentally candidate-driven rather than party-versus-citizens contests, stressing that voters historically make decisions based on individuals and performance across presidential, governorship, and legislative races.
According to the governor, the 2027 race will center on President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on the APC platform, competing against candidates from rival parties, rather than representing a broader struggle between the ruling party and the electorate. He maintained that Nigerians will ultimately vote for candidates they believe can deliver measurable improvements in their lives and communities.
Sule further rejected the ADC’s narrative that the election is a referendum on hardship under the APC-led federal government, noting that political outcomes in Nigeria have consistently reflected voter preference for perceived competence, grassroots connection, and track records rather than broad protest sentiments.
The remarks come amid growing political positioning ahead of the 2027 polls, as opposition parties attempt to frame the election as a national rejection of the ruling party, while APC leaders emphasize governance performance, policy outcomes, and candidate appeal as decisive factors.
Sule’s comments underscore the ruling party’s strategy of reframing the election as a contest of leadership credibility rather than a referendum on public dissatisfaction, signaling an early intensification of political messaging as Nigeria moves toward the next electoral cycle.
