Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has dismissed concerns that the party’s influence will wane in future elections without former President Muhammadu Buhari on the ballot.
In an interview with Channels Television, Omisore acknowledged Buhari’s pivotal role in shaping the APC’s early success but maintained that the party remains strong despite evolving political dynamics.
“President Buhari gave the APC structure and identity. His popularity, especially in northern Nigeria, was key to our victories. But the 2023 elections were different. It was no longer a two-horse race—we had APC, PDP, and Labour Party in strong contention,” he said.
Omisore downplayed the drop in APC’s vote tally—from 15.4 million in 2015 to 8.7 million in 2023—explaining that it reflected a more competitive environment, not the party’s decline.
“You can’t look at the numbers in isolation. In previous elections, votes were concentrated between two major parties. In 2023, three strong candidates divided the votes. That changed the dynamics completely,” he stated.
He also dismissed assumptions that opposition votes could simply be merged to challenge the APC. “Voters are not assets you can transfer. Just because two parties are in opposition doesn’t mean they appeal to the same people,” he said.
Responding to criticism of Buhari’s campaign role in 2023, Omisore defended the former president, saying he showed visible support for the APC and its candidate, Bola Tinubu.
“Buhari visited several states and endorsed Tinubu. But this election introduced new variables. Peter Obi had a strong showing in the South East and South South, while Atiku held ground in the North East. That split the vote in ways we hadn’t seen before,” he added.
Despite the lower vote count, Omisore said the APC’s ability to retain the presidency showed its resilience.
“Yes, we won with 8 million votes. It’s a reality check, but we still won. And let’s not forget—our opponents were heavyweights. Yet, APC prevailed,” he said.
Omisore described Buhari as more than a political figure, calling him “an institution” with deep grassroots appeal. He said many candidates in previous elections benefited from their association with Buhari.
Even so, he stressed the need for APC to grow beyond reliance on any single individual. “The party must deepen its roots, reform, and serve the people. We have capable leaders. We cannot lean on one figure forever,” he said.
Commenting on a possible PDP–Labour Party alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, Omisore acknowledged the potential impact but remained confident in APC’s nationwide presence.
“Politics is strategy. If they unite, we’ll also strategise. But APC remains the only party with true national reach. That takes planning and structure,” he noted.
He also highlighted the rising influence of youth and digital platforms in shaping political engagement.
“There’s a shift happening. Young people are more involved. The APC must continue engaging them if we want to stay relevant,” he said.
Omisore concluded by praising Buhari’s continued loyalty to the party, even after leaving office.
“He could have stepped back, but he didn’t. He publicly reaffirmed his loyalty and campaigned for APC. That’s leadership by example,” he said.
Still, he emphasised that democracy must progress beyond individual dominance. “Buhari never wanted to be a godfather. He led with principle. Now it’s time for others to step up and lead. That’s how democracy grows,” he added.
