Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has disagreed with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso over his criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ahmad, who serves as National Director of Media Monitoring and Rapid Response of the City Boys Movement, argued that the 2027 presidential election should be centred on policies, records, competence and competing visions for Nigeria rather than descriptions of political groups as “oppressors” and “the oppressed.”
Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, had criticised the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and urged its Director-General, Abdul’aziz Yari, to reconsider accepting the position.
In response, Ahmad said Nigerians are capable of examining the records of different governments, comparing political alternatives and making their own decisions at the polls.
He maintained that the APC campaign council should be judged based on the policies, programmes and vision it presents to Nigerians rather than simply by the political identities of its members.
Ahmad also defended Yari’s involvement in the campaign council, describing the former Zamfara State governor as an experienced political figure capable of making his own decisions about accepting a national political assignment.
According to him, Yari’s political experience should be considered an asset to the democratic process and should not automatically be interpreted as responsibility for every challenge facing the country.
The exchange comes as political activities continue to intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the APC and opposition political groups beginning to organise their campaign structures.
Kwankwaso has continued to position the forthcoming election as an opportunity for Nigerians to decide whether to retain the current administration or choose an alternative political direction.
Ahmad, however, argued that the electorate should be allowed to make that decision based on competing ideas and the records of the various political actors.
The disagreement highlights the increasingly heated political debate ahead of the 2027 election, with politicians from the ruling party and opposition camps presenting contrasting assessments of the Tinubu administration and its prospects.
As the campaign period approaches, issues including governance, economic performance, security and the future direction of the country are expected to dominate political discussions.
The latest exchange between Ahmad and Kwankwaso is therefore another indication of the emerging battle of ideas and narratives among political groups seeking the support of Nigerian voters.
With campaign structures gradually taking shape, political parties and their supporters are expected to intensify their mobilisation efforts across the country.
The 2027 election is likely to feature strong competition as the ruling APC faces opposition candidates seeking to present alternative programmes to voters.
For now, Ahmad has urged Nigerians to focus on the policies, records and competence of the candidates and political parties rather than relying on divisive political descriptions.
