The ruling All Progressives Congress has expressed strong optimism ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that it has strengthened its control over key swing states in the Northwest and is well positioned for victory.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, gave a state-by-state assessment of the APC’s standing, beginning with Kano, which he described as firmly in the party’s grasp.
“I can assure you that Kano is a given to us as APC, and it is a swing state in the Northwest,” he said.
Yilwatda identified three dominant political blocs in Kano — Ganduje, Kwankwaso, and Shekarau — and argued that the APC has weakened opposition forces while consolidating its own base.
Addressing the influence of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, he claimed that much of the support the former governor received in 2023 came from aggrieved APC members who have since returned to the party.
“It wasn’t Kwankwaso alone who delivered those votes. It was mostly aggrieved members of APC who moved to Kwankwaso and strengthened him. The two senators are back to APC. The House of Representatives, except one, have all moved to APC. The entire House of Assembly — only one remains. All the local government chairmen and councillors have all defected to APC. It leaves Kwankwaso vulnerable and weakened. We are strengthened,” said Yilwatda.
He added that efforts are ongoing to further consolidate support, revealing his engagement with the Shekarau and Gwarzo blocs in Kano.
“I sat down with them, I engaged them, and we met with them. From all the exco of PDP — the structure of both Gwarzo and Shekarau — they were all with me,” he said.
On Kaduna State, another major battleground, Yilwatda said the party has resolved internal issues that previously affected its performance, particularly in Southern Kaduna.
“The entire Southern Kaduna that used to go against us – they have all returned to APC. What was their grievance? Their grievance was with former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai is now in ADC. So the entire structure of Southern Kaduna is with us,” he said.
He also downplayed concerns about APC’s strength in Zaria, insisting the party remains solid despite El-Rufai’s influence.
“We had an election in Zaria. He campaigned; he was on top of vehicles; he was everywhere campaigning. But how many people moved out of APC from there? Numbers are very few. Zaria is intact. Kaduna is intact. We are about to have more votes in Kaduna than before,” he said.
In Sokoto State, Yilwatda said the APC controls most of the major political structures, expressing confidence in the party’s chances.
“The governor’s structure is intact. We have three out of four,” he said.
Overall, the APC chairman maintained that the party has grown stronger since the 2023 elections, bolstered by defections from opposition groups and internal consolidation, positioning it for a strong showing in 2027.
