A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr George Agbakahi has said the opposition parties in Nigeria are too fragmented and disunited to pose a serious challenge to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Agbakahi made the remarks during a current affairs programme on News Central Television on Tuesday.

He expressed confidence that the APC would secure a decisive victory in the next presidential election.

According to him, the outcome of elections in democratic societies is determined by several factors, including party structure, internal cohesion, candidates’ appeal, track record, and prevailing political and socio-economic realities.

“Politics is dynamic in every democratic election. Globally, there are variables that determine election outcomes, such as party structure, party unity, political dynamics in individual states, candidates’ appeal and their records of accomplishment,” he said.

The APC stalwart, who is also the Leader of the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) in the South-East, argued that party unity remained a major factor in electoral success, describing the APC as one of the most united political parties in Africa.

He said the party’s National Chairman, National Working Committee, NWC, governors and other stakeholders were working in harmony, unlike the opposition parties, which he described as divided and disintegrated.

“The APC leadership is working together with the governors and other party organs. 

“On the other hand, the opposition parties are divided, fragmented and disintegrated,” he stated.

Agbakahi dismissed claims that the APC was responsible for the internal crises rocking opposition parties, insisting that they were self-inflicted.

“It’s not true that APC is behind their problems. They are the architects of their own challenges,” he said.

He questioned why opposition figures opted to join existing political parties instead of building new platforms, arguing that the APC itself emerged in 2015 through the merger of political parties.

Speaking on the prospects of the opposition in 2027, Agbakahi maintained that the political landscape had changed significantly since the 2023 elections, adding that the APC had expanded its support base across the country, including in the South-East and South-South.

“It’s no longer like it was in the past. APC has made tremendous inroads across different regions. As long as the election is free, fair and credible, APC will win,” he said.

He said the ruling party would campaign on the achievements of President Bola Tinubu rather than engage in personal attacks against opponents.

According to him, Tinubu would seek re-election based on his record in office, including economic reforms, foreign reserves, foreign capital inflows, trade surplus and infrastructure development across the country.

He said, “I want to let you know that microeconomic fundamentals of the economy of this country are very strong. 

“The President, like I said, will run on $52 bn foreign reserves, $20 bn foreign capital inflow, a record of $50.8 foreign direct investment, a record of $18.67 bn trade surplus.”

He also referenced Tinubu’s record as former governor of Lagos State, saying it would further strengthen the President’s campaign.

Agbakahi further argued that the leading opposition figures were familiar faces in Nigerian politics and lacked fresh ideas capable of convincing the electorate.

“The opposition has no clear agenda or policy alternatives to present to Nigerians beyond constant criticism of the current administration. 

“Nigerians know them, and they are like old wine in a new bottle and no amount of rehabilitation would change Nigerians’ perception towards these opposition candidates,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government had demonstrated commitment to addressing insecurity through increased funding for the defence sector, noting that the Ministry of Defence received a record budgetary allocation of about N5.41 trillion under the current administration.

The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the party would retain power in 2027, insisting that its achievements in governance and internal cohesion would give it a significant advantage over its political rivals.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fixed August 27, 2026, for hearing in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The plaintiffs are challenging their alleged substitution as validly nominated candidates for the 2027 general election.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter at the instance of counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Mohammed Ndarani-Mohammed, SAN, who sought time to respond to a preliminary objection filed by the APC challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit.

Justice Ekwo directed counsel  to file and exchange their processes before the next adjourned date.

The judge warned that absence of any counsel resulting in a delay of the proceedings would attract sanctions.

Matthew Burkaa, SAN, appeared for the APC, while the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was represented by Oluwole Olukunle.

NAN reports that the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, was filed by Sesugh Kaaba and other aggrieved APC candidates against the party and INEC.

On the last adjourned date, the court had ordered all parties in the suit to maintain status quo.

The plaintiffs, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs.

They are seeking an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates through a June 29, 2026 correspondence to INEC, or any subsequent communication, pending determination of the substantive suit.

They also sought an order compelling the APC to transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during primaries monitored by the commission.

Former Minister of Sports, Abdulrahman Gimba, has approached the Federal High Court in Minna to challenge the African Democratic Congress, ADC, primary election that produced Baba Shehu Agaie as the party’s candidate for Niger South Senatorial District.

In the suit marked FHC/MN/CS/55/2026, Gimba is asking the court to nullify the primary election, alleging that it was not conducted in some wards and local government areas within the senatorial district.

The defendants in the suit are the ADC, Baba Shehu Agaie and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Represented by his counsel, Mohammed Gimba, alongside three other lawyers, the plaintiff also contended that Agaie was not qualified to contest the primary, alleging that he was still occupying a leadership position in the party at the time of the exercise, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2025.

When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Barau, counsel to the second defendant, Abdulrahman Siraj, sought an adjournment, informing the court that some of the defendants were yet to file their responses.

Justice Barau subsequently adjourned the case to July 22 and 23, 2026, directing the first defendant to serve the plaintiff with his statement of defence and allowing the plaintiff time to respond before the commencement of hearing.

Speaking with journalists after the court session, counsel to the second defendant, Abdulrahman Siraj, said the plaintiff’s claims were based on allegations that the primary election was not conducted in some wards and local government areas and that the second defendant (Baba Shehu Agaie) was ineligible to contest because he had not resigned from his position within the party.

According to him, “We have filed the necessary processes on behalf of the second defendant. Issues have been joined, but some of the defendants are yet to file their statements of defence. That is why the matter was adjourned for the commencement of hearing.”

Also speaking, counsel to the first defendant (ADC), Jibril Musa Kallamu, said the dispute was an internal party matter that could still be resolved without prolonged litigation.

“While the matter is before the court, efforts are also being made to resolve it internally. We hope that by the next adjourned date, the issues would have been amicably settled,” Kallamu stated.