From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

This happened at the National Summit held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja, yesterday.

Addressing party chieftains, Imo State governor and Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the APC Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, separately announced the endorsement.

Ganduje hinged the adoption on the President’s efforts at transforming the Renewed Hope Agenda from a vision on paper to a reality.

He said: “I would like to once more appreciate our leader and mentor, Bola Tinubu, for all the modest successes that had been recorded just in two years under the Renewed Hope Agenda. I would like to urge all participants to give a standing ovation to Mr. President as an endorsement to contest the 2027 general election.

“As the only body who has the power to field any candidate, I hereby affirm the various endorsements and declare President Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of APC.”

On how the party intends to actualise the plans of retaining the ticket, Ganduje said: “The APC is deploying early engagement strategies by strengthening state chapters, training polling unit agents and legal teams, as well as mobilising youths and women at the grassroots. We are committed to winning fairly, decisively and strategically.

“These off-season contests are not just about states; they are a reflection of our national momentum and a rehearsal for total victory in 2027,” he said.

Describing APC as a political machine under transformation, Ganduje said the off-cycle governorship victories in some states were reflections of national momentum and rehearsal for total victory in the 2027 presidential election.

He, however, called for unity and preparation to actualise the target of the party in 2027, appealing that “the journey is far from over. We must not become unworried. Now is the time to deepen our grassroots mobilisation, embrace party discipline and support the President’s agenda with solid loyalty.

“Let us resist internal sabotage and remain focused. Let us engage our communities, listen to the people and build a political structure that will endure beyond election cycles. As we reflect on the journey so far, let us renew our commitment to the ideals that brought us together. Let us unite behind our leaders, especially Mr. President, support our policies and vision and deliver the Renewed Hope that every Nigerian deserves,” he warned.

Addressing party members, he said: “Let us return to our constituencies as ambassadors of the Renewed Hope Agenda and apostles of party renewal. I believe with unity, clarity of purpose and hard work, the APC will not only deliver in 2027, it will deepen democracy, entrench equity and expand the frontiers of development in Nigeria.

“However, to effectively support this national vision, our party itself must be reinvigorated. A strong party is the vehicle through which lasting governance is delivered. That is why we have been working on critical reforms to restructure and modernise the APC.

“As I stand before you, I must stress this truth: we cannot go into the future divided, unprepared or reactive. The challenges of our nation require a cohesive, disciplined and ideologically sound party. Our goal must not only be to win elections, but to lead with purpose, to earn the trust of Nigerians continuously and to inspire belief in governance again,” he noted.

The former Kano governor also enumerated the accomplishments of the ruling party, saying, “We are gradually transforming the APC from an electoral force into a governing institution. Our successive victories at the presidential level, legislative dominance and control of the majority of Nigerian states and local government affirm the trust and confidence Nigerians continue to place in us.

“When I assumed office as the National Chairman of the APC, I was well aware of the challenges ahead, such as internal rifts, structural inconsistencies, external distractions and ideological stress. But, with focus, commitment and collective effort, especially with the support of Mr. President, we are gradually stabilising the ship, reuniting the fold and now, we are setting the party towards a clear and coordinated national vision,” he claimed.

•Govs, NASS speak

The lawmakers’ endorsement was moved by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and seconded by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, following an earlier endorsement by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.

Uzodimma, who spoke on behalf of the forum, emphasised commitment to mobilising resources and ensuring victory for Tinubu in their respective states.

The governors expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and reforms, promising to deliver their states in the upcoming elections.

This endorsement follows similar moves by other APC regional leaders, including the North Central governors, who recently passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu’s administration, praising his developmental strides and inclusive governance approach.

Akpabio moved that Tinubu should be adopted as the sole candidate of the APC for the Presidency in 2027.

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

Akpabio said the endorsement was based on the political sagacity of Tinubu, whom he said had been able to set Nigeria on the path of growth as confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He further highlighted improvements in national security, recounting a personal conversation with a senator: “The senator confided in me that now in his community, he can sleep with two eyes closed, and that in the last five years, he has not visited his community because of insecurity.” Akpabio noted that despite “sporadic terrorist attacks here and there by your enemies, our enemies and enemies of Nigeria, you have done very well. You have done Nigeria good.”

He said Nigerians and people at the grassroots were very excited and that members of the National Assembly were also excited and had never had it so good.

Abass said he stood on behalf of 109 Senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives, and all the 36 Speakers and their members, to second the motion raised by the president of the senate.