Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will retain power in the 2027 general election, insisting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have not demonstrated the political structure or capacity needed to defeat President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Gagdi said he could not envisage the APC losing the next general election, citing what he described as the party’s sustained nationwide political mobilisation.
“I have never, in my political imagination, thought that my party, APC, will lose an election,” he said.
According to the Plateau lawmaker, the APC has maintained stronger political visibility across the country than opposition parties.
“You have seen APC’s activities in the last one year across Nigeria. In the four corners of the country, our political activities are far ahead of those of any opposition political party.
“So who should be talking about planning to win elections?” he asked.
Gagdi argued that narratives suggesting only opposition figures were preparing ahead of 2027 did not reflect current political realities.
“You think Bola Tinubu and the APC are not trying to win elections in 2027?” he queried.
Questioning the preparedness of opposition leaders, he added:
“What are the opposition doing? What are they planning?
“I have not seen, from the activities of those you mentioned — Peter Obi or Atiku — any serious effort being put in place to unseat or defeat the President in 2027.”
Drawing from his electoral experience, Gagdi said Obi did not record electoral success in his federal constituency during previous elections.
“I was in the State Assembly in 2015 and in the National Assembly from 2019 to 2023. I will talk about what I know. Peter Obi did not win election in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam.
“I won election in 2023 under APC with a margin of 31,000 votes. I am not bragging; I am talking about facts,” he said.
On insecurity, Gagdi cautioned against politicising security challenges and urged political leaders to prioritise national interest.
“By the time we keep drifting into playing politics with the security and lives of Nigerians, it will be unfortunate.
“We must collectively be patriotic. We must unite against terror,” he said.
While acknowledging that insecurity remains a major national concern, the lawmaker maintained that the Tinubu administration had made efforts to address the challenge.
Report by Golok Israel Nanmwa
