A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has made a bold assertion that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware the ruling All Progressives Congress APC would perform poorly in a genuinely free and fair electoral contest ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Televisions Sunday Politics program Olawepo Hashim claimed that internal polls conducted by the President indicate the APC would struggle to secure even twenty percent of the national vote if elections were held under transparent and credible conditions without interference.

He emphasized that Tinubu is not naive about the partys current standing asserting He has done the polls and he knows that in a free and fair election the APC cannot score twenty percent of the vote. The PDP stalwart further argued that the APC faces more internal challenges and public dissatisfaction than even the opposition PDP suggesting widespread discontent with the ruling partys governance performance since 2023. This comes against the backdrop of the February 2023 presidential election where INEC declared Tinubu winner with approximately thirty six point six one percent of votes amid controversies over electoral integrity.

Olawepo Hashim who has previously been vocal on national issues including zoning competence and regional support dynamics positioned his comments as a wake up call highlighting what he sees as eroding popularity for the APC due to economic hardships insecurity and policy implementation gaps. He suggested that the President understands these realities which could explain strategic maneuvers to maintain power beyond relying solely on voter goodwill. The statement has sparked reactions across political circles with some viewing it as opposition rhetoric aimed at undermining the ruling party while others see it as reflective of growing anti incumbency sentiments nationwide.

As political consultations and alignments intensify toward 2027 such claims underscore the high stakes battles expected with opposition figures and coalitions positioning themselves to challenge the APCs dominance. Observers note that debates over electoral credibility zoning and performance will likely dominate discourse in the coming months.