Tinubu Is Beatable in 2027

​The vice-presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Lawal Musa Daura, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is not invincible at the polls, asserting that the incumbent administration has committed a series of governance errors that render it vulnerable.

​Daura made these remarks on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following the official unveiling of the APM presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja. The event marked the formal kick-off of the national electioneering cycle for the opposition ticket, which pairs Daura with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

​Addressing his personal and political dynamics with the President, the former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) noted that his relationship with Tinubu extends beyond the surface of partisan politics.

​“President Bola Tinubu is not a stranger to me. Even though he is out of the nation, he’s the leader, the commander-in-chief; in another class, we’re friends. We know ourselves very well,” Daura stated. He added that public perception of the President is frequently colored by external narratives, claiming, “There are lots of things being ascribed to him which he’s not.”

​When pressed on whether the ruling administration could be ousted in 2027, Daura responded affirmatively, insisting that widespread policy missteps have left the electorate open to a viable alternative.

​Reflections on the Buhari Era and Sycophancy

​Shifting focus to his tenure under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Daura reflected on his time heading the nation’s secret police between 2015 and 2018, stating that he continues to miss the former leader.

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​“I do miss Muhammadu Buhari. I took bullets for him,” Daura remarked, highlighting the personal risks he undertook while serving in the security apparatus.

​However, he did not shy away from criticizing the internal architecture of the previous administration, attributing many of its failings to opportunistic elements within the corridors of power. According to Daura, a phalanx of sycophants surrounded the former president, ultimately betraying his trust and exploiting the government for self-serving interests.

​Building a National Reset

​The Abuja campaign office unveiling also drew other prominent opposition figures, including Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful Peter Obi, who lauded Governor Makinde’s leadership credentials and stressed the necessity of a collaborative political landscape.

​Unveiling their joint blueprint alongside the campaign headquarters, the APM vice-presidential nominee emphasized that the Makinde-Daura ticket is anchored on a shared philosophy of national restoration.

​“We are a pair that seems to really understand each other; we share the same passion for this country, and don’t forget, one of our mottos is that we are resetting this country,” Daura said.