An APC chieftain warns that the APC Chieftain VP Race for 2027 could distract President Tinubu from national governance
Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has expressed strong concerns.
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He suggests that the intense jostling for the position of Vice-President, ahead of the 2027 general election, could significantly distract President Bola Tinubu from crucial governance responsibilities.
This early political manoeuvring could undermine current national efforts.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, issued a statement he personally signed yesterday.
In it, he strongly tasked politicians to slow down their politicking over the 2027 election.
He firmly stated that “distracting the president could be counter-productive for the economy which is just getting out of the woods,” highlighting the fragile state of national recovery.
He pointed out the growing trend among political aspirants. “Some people are already jostling to be Vice President,” Oyintiloye observed.
He underscored the President’s current workload, adding, “The President is facing serious tasks to keep the economy healthy, defeat the evil of insurgency, and fix critical infrastructure that are not being supported anymore.” These critical issues demand undivided attention.
Oyintiloye did not mince words when describing the behaviour of these political actors.
“The noise-making of these political opportunists, hell-bent on causing distractions, is capable of slowing down progress,” he asserted.
He stressed the potential negative impact on the ongoing national development efforts and the stability required for governance.
He expressed his personal frustration with the premature political activity. “It is becoming nauseating, to say the least,” Oyintiloye remarked.
He then highlighted the significant time remaining until the next election cycle. “The 2027 election is still over a year and a half away, and yet those chasing positions won’t allow the president to work. That must stop forthwith,” Oyintiloye unequivocally stated, calling for an immediate halt to such distractions.
According to Oyintiloye, upon assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu inherited a deeply troubled economy.
This included a rapidly ballooning debt profile, a highly volatile naira currency, and unsustainable fuel subsidy spending that had long burdened national finances.
These inherited challenges demand comprehensive and sustained focus from the administration.
Oyintiloye emphasised that diverting President Tinubu’s attention with discussions about “who gets what” ahead of both the 2027 and even 2031 elections is “absurd and uncalled for.”
He argued that such politicking detracts from the urgent tasks at hand. The VP Race creates this unnecessary tension.
He concluded his statement by outlining what he believes the President truly needs from Nigerians at this critical juncture.
“What the president needs at this point in time is our collective support, prayers, solidarity, and not unnecessary clamour for power struggle ahead of 2027,” Oyintiloye stated.
This powerful message underscores the importance of national unity and focus during challenging times, directly addressing the concerns around the VP Race.
His comments reflect a sentiment among some within the ruling party who believe that early electioneering poses a risk to the current administration’s ability to deliver on its mandate.
The focus, they argue, should remain squarely on economic stabilisation and improving the lives of Nigerians. This VP Race debate reveals internal party dynamics.
The call for politicians to rein in their ambitions for 2027 highlights the delicate balance between democratic aspirations and the practical demands of governance.
It suggests that continued political turbulence could hinder the implementation of critical policies designed to alleviate current national burdens.
This situation brings to light the challenges of balancing political cycles with national priorities.
This public statement from an VP Race participant underscores growing apprehension within certain party factions.
They worry that premature succession talks could destabilise the government’s efforts.
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Such internal debates demonstrate the complexities of managing political aspirations alongside the immediate needs of the populace.
