Senator Iyiola Omisore, former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed concerns that the party's political power will diminish in the event that former President Muhammadu Buhari does not appear on the ballot in subsequent elections.
Omisore maintained that the APC is not in decline, despite acknowledging that Buhari had a significant impact on the party's expansion and electoral success.
He argued that Nigeria’s political terrain has evolved, and any drop in the APC’s vote count in the 2023 elections should be seen as a result of increased competition, not Buhari’s absence as a candidate.
“President Buhari gave the APC structure and a distinct political identity.
His integrity, popularity, and consistency, especially in northern Nigeria, were critical to our earlier victories. However, the political landscape in 2023 was quite different. Omisore stated,
"In contrast to 2015 and 2019, which were essentially two-horse races, we had three strong contenders this time: the APC, the PDP, and the Labour Party." He pushed back against suggestions that the drop in APC’s vote count—from 15.4 million in 2015 to 8.7 million in 2023—was evidence of the party’s weakness.
“You can’t just look at the numbers in isolation. In 2015 and 2019, there were two dominant parties, so the votes were concentrated. In 2023, with three strong contenders, the votes were more evenly distributed. That’s a fundamental difference,” he explained.
Omisore described Buhari as more than a political figure, calling him “an institution” whose popularity extended deeply into the grassroots.
“There are states where people voted for candidates just because they were associated with him. That’s the level of trust he built.”
However, he stressed that the APC must move beyond individual personalities.
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“The party must deepen its roots, reform where necessary, and continue to serve the people. We have capable hands. We cannot lean on one figure forever.”
On the prospect of opposition unity in 2027, Omisore acknowledged the significance of a potential PDP–Labour Party alliance, but expressed confidence in the APC’s national spread.
“Politics is about strategy. If they come together, we’ll also work smarter. But let’s remember—the APC is the only party with a truly national structure today. We’ve won across regions. That takes more than chance; it takes planning,” he said.
"There's a shift happening," he said, referring to the growing influence of youth and technology on political engagement. Young people are participating more. The APC has to continue engaging with them. Our survival and success depend on remaining relevant to the next generation.
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Omisore claims that Buhari's commitment to party discipline and national stability can be seen in his continued loyalty to the APC after he left office. “He had every reason to step back after his tenure, but he didn’t. He publicly declared his loyalty to APC and even campaigned for the party. That’s the kind of character he had.”
Despite Buhari’s enduring legacy, Omisore emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy must grow beyond individual dominance.
“Yes, we’ve lost a great leader. But Buhari never wanted to be seen as a godfather. He led with principle. Now it’s time for others to step up and lead too. That’s the natural order of things,” he added.
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