Nigeria’s ruling party has delivered a blunt message to opposition groups still disputing the outcome of the 2027 general elections: give up and focus on 2031.
The All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Tuesday in Abuja that the party’s mandate “is not in doubt” and urged opposition parties to accept “political reality” rather than dwell on what he described as “settled matters.”
“The 2027 elections have been concluded and the mandate freely given to our party by Nigerians is not in doubt,” Morka said. “Those still agitating should channel their energy towards preparing for 2031.”
‘Endless Disputes Do Not Serve Democracy’
Morka dismissed continued opposition complaints as unproductive, arguing that endless disputes over a concluded election do not serve the interests of democracy.
He said the ruling party remains focused on governance and delivering on its promises, and urged opposition parties to adopt issue-based politics.
“Constructive engagement,” he said, “not distraction, is what the country needs at this time.”
The statement comes as opposition parties scramble to forge alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several mergers and coalition talks still ongoing despite the proximity of primaries.
The Lagos APC Weighs In
The Lagos State chapter of the party was even more pointed. Its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, described the opposition’s last-minute alliance scramble as “laughable” and a sign of “disarray.”
He told reporters that the opposition’s “daydreams of impossible victories” were a waste of energy and urged them to “rebuild, re-strategize, and prepare meaningfully for 2031.”
Oladejo also dismissed speculation about cracks within the APC, insisting the party remains united and focused on governance.
What the Opposition Says
Opposition leaders have rejected the APC’s framing. Several parties have accused the ruling party of electoral manipulation and have vowed to challenge the results through legal and political means.
But with the election concluded and the new administration firmly in place, the window for legal challenges is narrowing. The APC appears confident that time is on its side.
What Comes Next
The APC’s message is clear: the 2027 election is over. The opposition’s choice, as the ruling party sees it, is between wasting energy on a lost cause or using the next five years to build a credible alternative for 2031.
Whether opposition parties heed that advice—or continue to fight battles the APC considers already settled—will shape the political landscape for years to come.
For now, the ruling party has drawn its line in the sand. The opposition must decide whether to cross it.
