Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari’s declaration that the All Progressives Congress, APC, will remain in power beyond 2031 has sparked fresh political reactions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yari, a former Zamfara State governor and newly appointed Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the projection shortly after returning to Abuja from an overseas trip.
His comments came barely 24 hours after his unveiling as the campaign council’s Director-General for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
While campaign officials are expected to express confidence in their candidates, Yari’s projection went beyond the 2027 election, placing APC’s political dominance on a much longer horizon.
That has unsettled opposition parties, which have moved to challenge the narrative of inevitability surrounding the ruling party.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described Yari’s comments as premature, urging him to concentrate on delivering victory for Tinubu in 2027 before discussing the 2031 political contest.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said Yari should focus on the responsibility assigned to him.
“At the moment, he should focus more on how he can deliver on the mandate given to him before talking about 2031,” he said.
He also rejected any suggestion that the opposition had conceded the 2027 election or accepted APC’s continued control of government beyond that period.
“As to whether the opposition has already conceded 2027 to Mr President or is even conceding power to the APC beyond 2031, no, no, no, not at all,” he said.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, also challenged Yari’s projection, arguing that his confidence appeared designed to justify his new position within the campaign structure.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Yari was attempting to demonstrate the value of his appointment.
“He’s one of those lying to the President. We understand he needs to justify his new appointment,” Abdullahi said.
He also questioned APC’s claim to long-term political dominance, recalling that the PDP had previously made similarly ambitious projections about its future in power.
ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, through his media aide, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the 2031 projection as “wishful thinking”.
Mark questioned what he described as APC’s lack of a compelling message for voters.
“APC and its president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have no message to present to Nigerian voters,” he said.
Yari’s confidence comes as APC builds its campaign machinery around Tinubu’s re-election bid.
President Tinubu is chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, serve as vice-chairmen.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, is secretary, with Yari serving as Director-General.
The structure brings together senior figures from the presidency, party leadership and state governments as APC begins early preparations for 2027.
However, the opposition maintains that political machinery does not automatically translate into electoral victory.
Yari’s APC till 2031 declaration has therefore become more than a prediction about an election several years away.
Political observers and opposition actors understand that perceptions of electoral strength can influence politicians, financiers, aspirants and voters long before ballots are cast.
A party perceived as unbeatable may attract more allies and resources, while a party perceived as weak can struggle to maintain confidence.
For that reason, opposition parties appear determined to challenge APC’s projection before it becomes an accepted political narrative.
Nigeria’s political history also provides caution against assumptions of permanent dominance. The PDP once appeared politically entrenched before losing federal power in 2015.
That history does not determine APC’s future, but it demonstrates that political dominance can change.
Ultimately, Yari may project APC’s strength, but the 2027 and 2031 outcomes will be determined by voters.
The political battle, however, has already moved beyond the ballot box.
Both the ruling party and opposition are now fighting to shape Nigerians’ perception of who is capable of winning—and that contest has begun well before election day.
