Tinubu Targets Opposition Strongholds in 12-State 2027 Campaign
Tinubu Targets Opposition Strongholds in 12-State 2027 Campaign
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to personally lead the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in 12 strategically selected states has generated fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with indications that the ruling party is determined to penetrate opposition strongholds, recover lost electoral territories and consolidate its support base across the country.
The selected states include Kaduna, Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos. Political analysts believe the choice of these states is not accidental, considering that Tinubu lost nine of them during the 2023 presidential election, winning only Rivers, Oyo and Borno. The development suggests a deliberate attempt by the APC to reverse previous electoral setbacks and strengthen its chances of securing another presidential victory.
Particularly significant are Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, Bauchi and Sokoto, where opposition candidates recorded impressive performances in 2023. In Kano, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso defeated Tinubu, while former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar secured victories in Kaduna, Adamawa, Bauchi and Sokoto. Similarly, Enugu, Plateau and Delta remain important political battlegrounds following the strong electoral performance of Peter Obi in those states. The APC is expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation and political reconciliation to improve its electoral fortunes.
Lagos and Oyo present another interesting dimension to the President’s campaign calculations. Despite being Tinubu’s traditional political base, Lagos was won by Peter Obi in 2023, making the state particularly important to the APC’s renewed electoral strategy. In Oyo, where Tinubu defeated his opponents in the last presidential election, Governor Seyi Makinde’s political influence and presidential ambition could introduce fresh challenges. Rivers State is equally significant, given the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the evolving alliances within the state’s political landscape.
The President’s decision to personally campaign in only 12 states has also attracted criticism from opposition figures who believe he should engage Nigerians across the federation and defend his administration’s performance. However, Tinubu has maintained that governance must remain his priority despite preparations for the elections. The APC campaign is expected to commence in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, and conclude with a grand finale in Lagos on January 9, 2027, ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16.
As the political atmosphere gradually gathers momentum, the 2027 presidential contest is shaping up to be a battle of political structures, strategic alliances, regional influence and public confidence. While the APC appears determined to reclaim territories lost in 2023, opposition parties are equally positioning themselves to challenge the ruling party. Ultimately, Tinubu’s ability to translate his 12-state campaign strategy into electoral success may depend on how convincingly his administration addresses economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and other pressing concerns confronting Nigerians.
