A former Deputy Governorship candidate in Ogun State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, has declared that the APC remains the party to beat in future elections, citing growing public confidence and the defection of influential opposition figures as signs of the party’s increasing momentum.

Speaking during a political programme, Agbami Oselu, on Fresh FM, Akinlade said the alignment of more political actors, including governors and stakeholders, with the APC reflects widespread approval of the party’s leadership and direction.

“The APC is not just building alliances; we’re building capacity, strategy, and trust. We welcome all who are ready to serve the people. Democracy is about interest — who gets what, when, and how. People gravitate toward a performing party,” he said.

He urged politicians and political groups yet to join the APC to do so, describing the party as a winning and reform-driven team.

Akinlade also emphasized that the outcome of the last general election proved that technology and voter awareness have diminished the impact of vote buying.
“It’s now clear that people will take your money and still vote for their choice. That means you must earn their support through genuine engagement and performance,” he said, noting that the APC is strengthening its grassroots structure and welcoming committed Nigerians into its fold.

Responding to criticisms that the APC’s numerical advantage—currently with 32 governors—won’t necessarily result in victory in 2027, Akinlade argued that hard work, strategic planning, and performance will cement the party’s electoral dominance.

On the issue of open grazing and national security, the APC stalwart expressed concern over continued farmer-herder clashes, particularly in the Southwest.
He supported anti-open grazing laws, describing them as necessary but insisting that enforcement, political will, and alternative grazing systems are key to long-term success.

“Rural farmers are abandoning their lands due to frequent attacks and kidnappings. Agriculture cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear. Government must deploy a multidimensional approach that includes community policing, rural infrastructure, and technology,” he stated.

Akinlade further noted that Nigeria’s security crisis is linked to transnational threats, especially the unchecked influx of non-Nigerian herders through the country’s northern borders. He expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would address the root causes of insecurity through holistic policy interventions.

On the debate over a single-term tenure of five or six years for presidents and governors, Akinlade argued that tenure length is less important than quality leadership.

“You can spend ten years in power and still do nothing. What matters is purposeful, visionary, and service-driven leadership. I support the current four-year term with an opportunity for reelection, as practiced in the United States. It encourages both accountability and performance,” he said.

He called for national focus on institutional reforms, transparency, and leadership competence rather than constitutional amendments on tenure duration.
On democracy and governance in Africa, Akinlade acknowledged that while democratic institutions are still evolving across the continent, Nigeria is making measurable progress under the APC-led government.

“The APC under President Tinubu is driving reforms in power, transportation, and the economy. What matters now is implementation, stakeholder engagement, and people-centered governance,” he said.

He noted that the party’s growing appeal lies in its shift toward “performance politics,” which he said resonates with citizens seeking results, not rhetoric.
“It’s no longer business as usual. That’s why people are joining the APC — they see the seriousness, the structure, and the commitment to progress.”