With Nigeria’s presidential vote set for Jan. 16, 2027, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun rallies while several opposition parties have yet to publish state-by-state plans, BusinessDay reported.
APC’s campaign opened in Kaduna on Oct. 24, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said. Channels Television reported that Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Calabar, Cross River State, on Nov. 2 to lead a rally. BusinessDay reported that the proposed itinerary listed Gombe for Nov. 3 and Lafia, Nasarawa State, for Wednesday, Nov. 4, followed by Ekiti on Nov. 5. Premium Times said the route covered all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with President Bola Tinubu expected at 12 rallies; the APC said the schedule could change.
The opposition picture is less settled, though the reporting points to activity beyond rallies. BusinessDay reported that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) had delayed setting up campaign councils and had not published state-by-state rally schedules. ADC campaign communications director Phrank Shaibu told BusinessDay that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar planned appearances in every state and the FCT; National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party would not rush to start rallies.
TheCable reported that APM held town halls in all six of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. APM presidential candidate and Oyo State Gov. Seyi Makinde said the party’s manifesto would address concerns raised at those meetings, TheCable reported. Premium Times reported that Makinde and running mate Lawal Daura were scheduled to present the manifesto in Abuja on Wednesday, Nov. 4; The PUNCH said APM planned to begin its rally campaign in Bauchi on Saturday, Nov. 7.
BusinessDay reported that some parties and analysts cited funding constraints, internal disputes, coalition talks and rally costs as reasons to use town halls, stakeholder meetings, television and social media. The reports suggest the immediate test for parties is how they turn those different approaches into nationwide voter contact before the January poll.
