….say Jonathan no longer qualifies to run
By: Oluwatosin Adesola
Opposition will not be able to stop the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, the Ondo State APC Mandate Elders Forum has declared during its monthly meeting.
The Elders’ forum, which insisted that opposition’s speculations that President Tinubu could be defeated, said no serious alternative has surfaced within the opposition ranks.
Speaking on behalf of the group after the monthly meeting held at the residence of the forum’s leader, Chief Erastus Akeji in Akure, the state capital, the forum’s facilitator, Chief Ademola Ijabiyi, noted that President Tinubu has done well to reposition critical sectors in the country which would earn him the massive support of Nigerians for the second term.
Ijabiyi said “First of all, Tinubu will win. Which party is preparing for the presidency now? In Ondo State alone, we have more than 10 support groups already. Which other aspirant has anything anywhere?
“We don’t even know them yet. Somebody who is going to defeat Tinubu next year has not even emerged, when it’s not a councillorship election.”
The APC Elders also cast doubt on the readiness of opposition leaders, saying the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi, will not pose the threats to Tinubu’s reelection, saying the oppositions are still quarreling without clear programmes or directions.
Ijabiyi further dismissed rumours about former President Goodluck Jonathan’s recontesting in 2027, insisting that the Constitution does not allow anyone to serve beyond eight years or two terms of four years
According to him, Tinubu’s key economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and tax reforms, were decisive steps that no rival could credibly challenge without taking the country backwards.
Speaking on Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, he acknowledged that Nigerians are going through hardship but urged citizens to endure the “temporary pains” of reform.
“There are always pains accompanying surgery. What Tinubu has done to our economy is medical surgical. Without the removal of fuel subsidy, without the revival of foreign exchange, we would have been in a very great mess. It is not easy at all, but they are temporary pains.
The APC leader called on Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that “nobody is challenging Tinubu” as the country continues its path of economic reforms.
Ijabiyi however, declared the readiness of the APC elders forum to join hands with other support groups to deliver overwhelming support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, pledging to mobilize more than one million votes from the state.
He emphasized that Ondo remains a stronghold of the APC and will play a decisive role in securing victory for the President, saying “We need to demonstrate that we too can participate actively in the process that will lead to the delivery of Ondo State for Tinubu in 2027,”
“Ondo State is Tinubu any day. Ondo State is APC any day. We are going to win, but it is not just a matter of winning. We want to deliver figures far above the less than 300,000 votes delivered in the last election.
“Even though it represented about 69% of the votes, this time we want to go far. We will call people out. Call people to register. Call them to come and vote for Tinubu. The elders have a role to play in it. They cannot just sit on the fence and then watch as things go on. That’s the purpose of this lecture.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the forum, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, explained that the body was established to coordinate elder statesmen and influential leaders across Ondo in delivering a stronger mandate for the President.
Alabi said “It’s an elders’ committee set up to work hard in Ondo State to see to the re-election of our President. In the last election, Ondo State came first in terms of percentage of votes. This time around, we are moving around to galvanize all the elders in Ondo State and make sure that we return a very tangible and reasonable vote for Mr. President in the 2027 election.”
On the unity of purpose among the different pro-Tinubu groups, Alabi stressed that there was no division, as all efforts were directed towards the same objective.
“This is a support group and every other group is welcome, and that has been the spirit of our meetings. We can have as many as possible, as far as the objective is to work for the re-election of Mr. President. Lots of people gave excuses for their absence today, but many more are still coming. If there are others, they are all welcome. As long as we are working for the same goal, there is no crisis at all.”
The committee said it would intensify grassroots mobilization, voter registration campaigns, and community engagement to ensure Ondo State delivers not only the highest percentage but also record-breaking numbers for the APC in 2027.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Erastus Akeju, brought together respected political, traditional, and community leaders committed to mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ensuring his administration’s reforms succeed in the state.
The members include, Pastor Olufemi Bakare, Chief Femi Osedimbola, Chief Nimbe Tawose, Senator Yele Omogunwa, Otunba Solomon Oladunni, Chief Nathaniel Fapohunda, Pastor Femi Agagu, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, Former Deputy Speaker Samuel Aderoboye, Chief Mrs. Grace Animola, Princess Adebunmi Osadahunsi, and Chief Lawrence Ibukun Ropitan, among others
