By Rayyanu Bala
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the North Central Zonal Rally held at Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, reiterated once again that the 2027 election must go APC SAK, from top to bottom.
The Jos Zonal Rally was not the first time the President had made such a statement about APC SAK. In fact, from the commencement of the presidential campaign rallies in Kaduna, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu maintained his position on APC SAK. At the rallies held so far by the campaign train, the central message has been APC SAK.
At the Jos Zonal Rally, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu received the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for Nasarawa State. The flag was formally presented to him by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, in the presence of the President, Vice President and other prominent APC leaders.
While calling for APC SAK, President Tinubu assured the people that there would be light at the end of the tunnel, stressing that people should forget about the vagabonds.
Senator Wadada, who described the APC flag he received as a symbol of the party’s confidence and collective mandate, reiterated his profound gratitude, humility and renewed sense of responsibility. He added:
“The flag strengthens my resolve to work towards a more prosperous, united and progressive Nasarawa State.
The journey is on, and I am committed to the task ahead.”
Now, with the renewed resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC regarding APC SAK, is it reasonable to refer to any APC member who uses the word “rainbow” as non-committed and anti-party?
Of course, yes, because the President has directed every member of the APC to vote APC SAK, from top to bottom, and any member who goes contrary to this directive is going against the APC Constitution and the wise counsel of the President. His case is a clear case of anti-party activity, and the local chapter of the APC is free to take any disciplinary action against him.
The position of the APC, regarding the expectation that every committed member of the party should vote for APC candidates from top to bottom, comes at a time when the SDP is also calling on its members to do SDP SAK.
At its National Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Abuja last week, the SDP rejected the Rainbow Coalition, reiterating its position that every party should stand on its own.
The decision of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to reject the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections is a welcome development and one that deserves serious discussion, particularly among opposition supporters in Nasarawa State.
The position of the SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, that the party intends to contest the 2027 elections independently is heartwarming.
Democracy thrives when political parties have the courage to stand for what they believe in, present their candidates and allow the people to decide through the ballot box. The SDP has its presidential candidate, and any committed SDP member must vote for all the party’s candidates. Simple and clear. Any SDP member who talks about the Rainbow Coalition should be disciplined for anti-party activities.
Now, let us bring this conversation home to Nasarawa State.
The SDP cannot preach political independence at the national level while its local chapter in Nasarawa State creates confusion about its political direction at the state level.
We must understand one simple principle: SDP should elect its own, while APC should elect its own. That is exactly what the SDP national headquarters is saying.
Let the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for its candidates. Let the SDP campaign for its own candidates and present them to the people. Let every political party sell its ideas and defend its records.
The 2027 elections should be about ideas, leadership, accountability and the development of our people, not backroom arrangements designed to confuse supporters and the electorates.
My position is simple: let every political party face the electorate with its own candidates. Let the APC elect its own, let the SDP elect its own, and let the people decide who deserves their votes in 2027.
If you are in the APC, APC SAK. If you are in the SDP, do your SDP SAK.
