Akinwunmi Ambode, immediate past Governor of Lagos State, has now given his full promise to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’scampaign for re-election in 2027, claiming that he would do this in the South-West. This proclamation is a fine display of loyalty from Ambode, who has remained relatively quiet since leaving office in recent years.
Ambode made the announcement in Badagry, Lagos, at a sensitisation programme on the significance of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration. Speaking through the Director-General of Tinubu-Ambo Support Group, Dr. Seyi Bamigbade, the former governor said that President Tinubu had laid a solid foundation for the growth of Nigeria, and they should allow him to correct other outstanding issues for the benefit of Nigeria by giving him a second term.
“President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated he can lead this nation with vision and courage. I urge Lagosians and Nigerians, in general, to make sure he has a second term in 2027 so that we can all continue to enjoy his progressive leadership!” he said.
Ambode’s announcement is significant in terms of speculation regarding his political future and his relationship with President Tinubu. Since losing the APC governorship ticket in 2019 to the incumbent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ambode has largely kept himself out of the mainstream with regard to politics. That having been said, with his recent public appearances and now vocal endorsements of Tinubu, Ambode seems ready to polish and resume his role at the state and national level. He also emphasized his plan to run for governor of Lagos State in 2027 to build off the successes of the first term, while addressing the critical issues that affect Lagosians. He said welfare for citizens, infrastructure revitalization and youth empowerment will be central to his programme if he is elected.
The sensitization activity where Ambode made his pledge is part of a more encompassing programme on voter sensitization to encourage projected turnout for the 2027 general elections. The organizers emphasized the use of the popular phrase: “No PVC, no voting”.
Dr. Bamigbade said the group will carry out house-to-house campaigns to ensure that all Lagos eligible voters register and collect their PVC. The event had the participation of community leaders, youths, women groups, and other stakeholders who all pledged their backing for both President Tinubu’s re-election and Ambode’s governorship aspirations.
This focus on educating people about voting comes at a time when the South-West represents such a critical factor in determining electoral outcomes. Lagos and other Yoruba-speaking states routinely make determinative votes at national elections, thus it is critical to the ruling APC to mobilize and ensure loyalty among grassroots structures leading up to the next elections.
Ambode’s pledge is also an indicator of the next level of reconciliation within Lagos politics. There has been some indication of reconciliation between prominent actors in Lagos in recent times. Governor Sanwo-Olu was recently spotted visiting Ambode, who many interpreted as an attempt to repair relations and strengthen APC’s hold on Lagos in preparation for 2027 elections.
A similarly large public engagement were President Tinubu sharing the stage with over two of his successors, Ambode and Babatunde Raji Fashola. This clearly demonstrates a camaraderie among some of the strongest political actors in Lagos politics. Certainly, the other matter that we can take away from this is the continued resolution of the internal division in the APC in preparation for the next elections.
The potential stakes for the 2027 elections are already brewing across Nigeria. The All Progressives Congress has out rightly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term and communicated to the electorate that the first four years of his presidency was simply a laying of the foundation and to be consolidated. The period of transition will be taken forward from here, once the reforms of State are realised in the areas of energy, transportation and digital, and accepted by society. His government has faced criticism over uncontrolled inflation, dangling naira, increased cost of living.
Opposition parties by contrast are starting to form new coalitions. Some factions in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition platforms have confirmed that they will be challenging the APC in 2027 elections. Their scenario is to mobilize around local, perhaps economic, discontent and act as a more unified alternative to a Tinubu leadership.
It is clear to the APC that it is very important for South-West leaders to publicly display loyalty and continuity. While Ambode’s declaration continues to bolster the Tinubu base, it can also send a signal to party members that they can reconcile their differences and act collectively to win elections in the future.
Beyond supporting Tinubu’s presidency, it is also clear that Ambode’s political re-engagement is tied to his own aspirations. Ambode’s pledge of loyalty and alignment with Tinubu now places him in a position in the structure of the ruling party in the South-West. The implications for Ambode are from this position of electoral relevance in Lagos’s past governorship campaign.
Observers also note that Ambode’s support for Tinubu’s re-election is a strategic game of political calculation. The strategy allows Ambode to re-establish trust with the APC’s hierarchy whilst gathering trust and support amongst the rank and file through the voter sensitisation activities related to his campaign group.
Ambode’s commitment to lead Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the South-West is an important political development in the lead-up to the elections of 2027. His pledge represents performance and support for the president but also offers him a way to formulate a plan for political comeback. Since he has taken the initial step to mobilise voters, the South-West sets itself up as key battleground where grassroots participation, united front and positioning will play a determining role in Nigeria’s next general elections.
With the countdown to 2027 now underway, we have Ambode positioned as a campaigner for Tinubu while struggling with his own ambitions for the governorship of Lagos. One outcome is certain, however, and that is Ambode’s return and involvement brings an added level of excitement and complexity to the unfolding drama.