2027: I’ll Be on the Ballot, APC Has No Excuse to Lose – Uzodimma

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has declared that he will contest in the 2027 general elections, warning members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the party has no justification for losing the polls.

Uzodimma made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The governor, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum and serves as secretary of the campaign council, is seeking election to represent Imo West Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2027.

He described the forthcoming election as a referendum not only on Tinubu’s administration but also on the performance of APC governors, lawmakers and other elected officials.

“Mr President will be on the ballot on 16 January 2027, but if we are honest with ourselves, so will we,” he said.

Uzodimma argued that the party’s responsibility to secure Tinubu’s re-election was inseparable from the electoral prospects of its candidates at other levels.

According to him, the APC must work collectively to ensure that its candidates receive the support required to win their respective contests.

“It follows that our party has no excuse not to win. Victory is guaranteed when we are united. Victory is guaranteed when we are committed and work as a focused team,” the governor stated.

He urged party leaders to put aside internal disagreements, reconcile their differences and mobilise behind all APC candidates ahead of the elections.

Uzodimma also called on governors, local government chairmen, legislators and party executives to take the campaign to their respective constituencies and strengthen grassroots engagement.

He noted that local government chairmen and ward-level party officials would play important roles in reaching voters and communicating the party’s message.

However, the Imo governor cautioned APC members against assuming that control of government structures would automatically translate into electoral support.

He stressed that voters must be persuaded through effective engagement, adding that political officeholders should be prepared to defend their records before the electorate.

“The Nigerian people have given us every advantage a political party could reasonably ask for, and Mr President has made our task easier still by giving us a record we can defend with pride,” he said.

Uzodimma maintained that the party must take responsibility for its performance and avoid blaming external circumstances if it failed to secure victory.

He also urged members to conduct their campaigns peacefully and within the provisions of the law.

The APC inaugurated its presidential campaign council as political activities intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ruling party seeking to retain the presidency and strengthen its position across the country.

Uzodimma’s remarks underline the party leadership’s push for unity and coordinated mobilisation, as candidates prepare to face voters in contests that will determine the next occupants of several elective offices.