The ruling [All Progressives Congress](https://apc.ng) announced on Thursday that President [Bola Tinubu](https://www.president.gov.ng) is unmatched by the four opposition hopefuls – former Vice‑President [Atiku Abubakar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atiku_Abubakar), former Governor [Peter Obi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Obi), former Governor Donald Duke and Governor Seyi Makinde – who are contesting the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, People’s Redemption Party and Allied People’s Movement respectively.
National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda delivered the proclamation while receiving the Forum of APC House of Representatives Aspirants, led by Danjuma Mohammed, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
"No political party, as it stands today, has a more credible candidate than President Bola Tinubu. We have facts, we have records that if we put them vis‑à‑vis any other candidate on this ballot, none matches our own candidate. None. I mean, none," Yilwatda asserted.
He added that the opposition would be unable to match a side‑by‑side comparison of achievements, urging critics to "show the scorecard of other presidents, of other candidates, and then we now put them side by side Mr President; none of them comes close to matching Mr President, even in terms of building institutions."
**What about the road projects from the Obasanjo‑Atiku era?**
Yilwatda argued that Nigerians cannot point to a single road built with the N300 billion road budget released during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure when Atiku served as Vice‑President. "We were here live. When the president gave road projects of over N300 billion, when another person was the Minister of Works, we couldn’t find even the road that was patched with that budget. We are struggling to find the roads. Show me one road, a span of 500 kilometres, that was constructed with that money, just one. You can’t find it," he said.
**Which infrastructure has the Tinubu administration delivered?**
Yilwatda listed several projects attributed to the current government:
- The Abuja‑Kaduna corridor, covering more than 441 km, is nearing completion and will extend to Kano.
- About 30‑40 % of the Trans‑Sahara Superhighway – a stretch of roughly 1,400 km – has been completed, a milestone he claimed no previous president has achieved.
- The Ajaokuta‑Kaduna‑Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, which will feed gas to fertiliser production, CNG, household cooking, power turbines and industrial users.
**Why defend the N20,000 student loan scheme?**
Yilwatda criticised former Vice‑President Atiku’s pledge to scrap the student loan programme if elected. He recounted hearing an ADC spokesperson question the value of the N20,000 grant, replying, "They don’t know the value of N20,000 to an ordinary man on the streets."
Drawing on his own experience as a former university lecturer, Yilwatda explained that many students drop out because they cannot afford fees. He narrated a case of a student who saved part of the monthly N20,000, bought a second‑hand refrigerator and began selling iced fish to classmates, thereby turning the grant into a small business and even a home.
He turned the criticism back on the opponents, noting that their own private universities charge millions in fees while they denounce the modest student grant. "Meanwhile, even students in those institutions have access to student loans. So, we are supporting their own universities too," he said.
**What is the role of the APC Aspirants Forum?**
Earlier, Danjuma Mohammed explained that the forum was formed in 2022 under the Peoples Democratic Party to unite aspirants who lost primary elections. Its original mission was to rally support for Atiku and his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Following political realignments, many members have migrated to the APC, pledging loyalty to President Tinubu and Vice‑President Kashim Shettima for a second term.
Mohammed said the forum draws members from all 360 federal constituencies and is not intended to create a parallel structure. He appealed to the party leadership for approval and funding to produce campaign materials in major local languages across various media, and proposed holding political conferences in each of the six geopolitical zones to disseminate the messages.
**How strong is the APC’s organisational base?**
Yilwatda assured the aspirants that they have a place within the party’s machinery, noting the existence of a directorate that will coordinate their activities. He also reflected on his own electoral defeat in a Plateau governorship race and subsequent loss at the Supreme Court, emphasizing resilience and dedication to the party.
"Our party has over 261,000 executive members, not to mention ordinary members. We want to convert those numbers to victory, and we need to form that partnership. Partner with us, work with us, and victory is sure for all of us," he concluded.
**Key facts**
- The APC statement was made by National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda at the party’s Abuja secretariat on Thursday.
- The four opposition candidates represent ADC, NDC, PRP and APM.
- Tinubu’s administration claims completion of over 441 km of the Abuja‑Kaduna road and 30‑40 % of the 1,400 km Trans‑Sahara Superhighway.
- The Ajaokuta‑Kaduna‑Kano gas pipeline is highlighted as a flagship project.
- Yilwatda defended the N20,000 student loan, citing a beneficiary who used the grant to start a small fish‑selling business.
- Quote: "None matches our own candidate. None. I mean, none," Yilwatda said.