Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Chairman and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure victory in all 36 states of Nigeria during the 2027 presidential election, arguing that opposition parties lack the political structure and grassroots influence required to defeat the ruling party.
Adeyeye made the prediction on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, where he assessed the political atmosphere ahead of the next general election.
The former senator, who also serves as the National Chairman of the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), particularly dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a serious electoral threat to Tinubu’s re-election ambition.
He argued that the opposition party had yet to establish the nationwide political structures, legislative influence and grassroots support necessary to challenge an incumbent president.
Adeyeye maintained that the APC remained politically stronger and better positioned to secure another presidential mandate, expressing confidence that Tinubu’s support base would extend beyond the South-West, which he described as the president’s traditional political stronghold.
Adeyeye Questions ADC’s Political Strength Ahead of 2027
During the interaction with journalists, Adeyeye questioned the electoral capacity of the ADC, arguing that political parties seeking to challenge the ruling APC must demonstrate considerable influence at both state and national levels.
He pointed to the party’s representation in state governments, the National Assembly and state legislatures as indicators of its ability to compete nationally.
According to him, the ADC had not demonstrated sufficient political strength to constitute a serious challenge to the APC.
Adeyeye also dismissed suggestions that the ruling party was becoming apprehensive about the opposition’s growing political activities.
He argued that the APC’s established political network and influence across different parts of the country placed it in a stronger position ahead of the election.
His assessment reflects the confidence of a senior figure within the ruling party, although the actual strength of political parties will ultimately be determined by voter participation, campaign performance and election results.
Adeyeye Questions Atiku Abubakar’s Political Base in Adamawa
Adeyeye also questioned the political prospects of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, arguing that the former presidential candidate faced challenges in establishing a strong political support base in his home state of Adamawa.
He claimed that Atiku lacked sufficient backing from influential political figures in the state, including the governor and other political stakeholders.
The NPA chairman further argued that a presidential candidate seeking to defeat an incumbent administration must first establish a formidable political foundation within their home state.
He questioned how an opposition candidate could build nationwide electoral momentum without strong political support in their immediate political environment.
However, Adeyeye’s assessment represents his political opinion and should not be interpreted as an established prediction of Atiku’s electoral performance or the eventual strength of the opposition.
The 2027 presidential contest remains open to political developments, including party alliances, candidate selection, campaign strategies and changing voter preferences.
Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Feature in Adeyeye’s Defence
Beyond his prediction about the 2027 election, Adeyeye defended several economic policies introduced by the Tinubu administration since assuming office in May 2023.
He acknowledged that Nigerians were experiencing economic difficulties but argued that some of the government’s decisions were necessary to address longstanding financial challenges.
Among the policies he defended were the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
According to Adeyeye, the country was already facing an unsustainable fiscal situation before Tinubu became president, with declining government resources, fuel shortages and increasing difficulties associated with financing the subsidy regime.
He maintained that the government’s economic reforms had helped prevent a deeper financial crisis and improved the capacity of state governments to meet their obligations.
The subsidy removal, announced by Tinubu during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, fundamentally changed Nigeria’s petroleum pricing system.
Before the policy change, the Federal Government spent substantial public resources maintaining lower petrol prices through subsidy payments.
The decision to remove the subsidy significantly increased the cost of petrol, contributing to higher transportation and living expenses for households and businesses.
The foreign exchange reforms also sought to reduce distortions in Nigeria’s currency market and improve transparency in foreign exchange transactions.
However, the reforms have generated considerable debate because of their effects on inflation, purchasing power, business operating costs and the cost of imported goods.
While Adeyeye defended the policies as necessary economic adjustments, their overall impact remains an important issue for Nigerians and a significant factor in assessing the administration’s performance.
NPA Chairman Highlights Improved Government Revenue
Adeyeye further argued that the economic reforms had strengthened the financial position of state governments by increasing the resources available to them.
He maintained that improved revenue allocations had enabled state administrations to meet important financial obligations, including salaries, pensions and gratuities.
The argument forms part of the Federal Government’s broader defence of its economic policies, particularly the position that removing the petrol subsidy and reforming the foreign exchange market would improve public finances over time.
However, increased allocations do not automatically translate into improved living conditions for citizens.
The effectiveness of public spending also depends on accountability, budget implementation, infrastructure development and the ability of governments to convert available resources into measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Consequently, the economic performance of the Tinubu administration is likely to remain a major subject of public debate as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Student Loans and University Funding Also Cited
The NPA chairman also pointed to the Federal Government’s student loan programme and increased funding for universities as evidence of the administration’s efforts to improve access to education.
The student loan initiative, administered through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), was established to provide financial assistance to eligible students in public tertiary institutions.
The programme is intended to reduce the financial difficulties associated with higher education and improve opportunities for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Adeyeye argued that such interventions demonstrated the administration’s commitment to supporting Nigerian households and strengthening the education sector.
Drawing from his experience as a former Pro-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, he also discussed the financial difficulties that had affected university administration and industrial relations in the country’s tertiary institutions.
He maintained that improved funding and better remuneration for university workers had contributed to greater stability in the education sector.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has historically embarked on industrial actions over issues including funding, salaries, working conditions and the implementation of agreements with the Federal Government.
Adeyeye argued that reducing disruptions to academic activities was important for Nigerian students, particularly those enrolled in programmes with specified completion periods.
However, the broader state of university funding, infrastructure, staff welfare and access to quality education remains an important issue requiring sustained attention.
Political Support in the South-West
Adeyeye also highlighted Tinubu’s political influence in the South-West, describing the region as a major foundation for the president’s re-election prospects.
Tinubu’s political career has been closely associated with Lagos and the wider South-West, where he built an extensive political network before becoming president.
Adeyeye argued that the president’s support base had expanded beyond the region and expressed confidence that the APC could attract sufficient backing across the country.
His position is consistent with the objectives of SWAGA, the political organisation he leads, which was established to mobilise support for Tinubu’s political ambitions.
Adeyeye said he was prepared to campaign across Nigeria to secure another presidential mandate for the president.
His declaration indicates that political mobilisation for the 2027 election is already receiving attention from influential figures within the ruling party.
Opposition Parties Face the Challenge of Building a National Coalition
Adeyeye’s comments also highlight the wider political challenge confronting opposition parties ahead of the next presidential election.
For opposition groups seeking to defeat an incumbent president, building a competitive political structure requires more than public criticism of government policies.
It involves developing nationwide support networks, identifying credible candidates, mobilising voters, maintaining party unity and presenting alternative policy proposals.
The ADC and other opposition platforms will therefore face the task of convincing Nigerians that they can provide a viable alternative to the APC.
At the same time, the ruling party will need to defend its record in office and persuade voters that its economic and governance policies are producing meaningful improvements.
The political environment could also change significantly as alliances develop and parties begin positioning themselves for the electoral contest.
Why Adeyeye’s Prediction Matters
The prediction that Tinubu could win all 36 states is politically significant because it reflects the confidence of a senior APC figure in the ruling party’s electoral prospects.
However, presidential elections in Nigeria are determined by votes cast by eligible citizens, not political endorsements or predictions made by party leaders.
Under Nigeria’s presidential electoral system, a candidate must secure the highest number of valid votes and satisfy the constitutional geographical spread requirement to be declared elected.
This means that winning a presidential election requires more than strong support in one political region or the backing of influential political organisations.
Economic conditions, security, unemployment, inflation, infrastructure, education and public confidence in government are among the issues likely to influence voter decisions in 2027.
For the APC, the challenge will be to translate its political structures and incumbent advantage into actual electoral support.
For opposition parties, the challenge will be to establish credible alternatives and convince voters across different regions that they can offer better governance.
What Happens Next?
Attention will increasingly focus on political consultations, party preparations, campaign mobilisation and the emergence of candidates ahead of the 2027 general election.
The APC is expected to rely on its existing political structures and the achievements it attributes to the Tinubu administration as it prepares to seek another mandate.
Opposition parties, including the ADC, will face pressure to strengthen their political organisation and develop a convincing national strategy.
Whether Adeyeye’s prediction becomes reality will ultimately depend on the decisions of Nigerian voters and the outcome of the electoral process.
For now, his declaration represents a confident political assessment from within the ruling party rather than a guaranteed electoral outcome.
Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election will provide the opportunity for citizens to evaluate the performance of the current administration, assess the alternatives presented by opposition parties and determine the country’s political direction for another four years.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources
- The Guardian Nigeria – Report on Dayo Adeyeye’s prediction about Tinubu’s 2027 electoral prospects, November 11, 2026.
- The Punch – Coverage of political developments surrounding the 2027 general election.
- Vanguard – Report on Adeyeye’s assessment of the ADC and Tinubu’s re-election prospects, November 11, 2026.
- News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) – Report on Adeyeye’s comments concerning the opposition and the 2027 presidential election.
- TheCable – Background reporting on Nigeria’s economic reforms and political developments.
