APGA Considers Skipping 2027 Presidential Race for Strategic Alliances-Barr. Ezeokenwa

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) may opt out of fielding a presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 elections, favoring alliances with other progressive parties, according to National Chairman Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Ezeokenwa emphasized that APGA, Nigeria’s first registered progressive party since 2002, is open to coalitions that align with its vision of equity and federalism. The decision, to be finalized by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), reflects a strategic shift to amplify APGA’s influence amid a fragmented political landscape.

Historically rooted in the South East, particularly Anambra State, APGA has struggled to gain national traction, with its 2003 presidential candidate, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, securing only 3.3% of the vote. Recent moves signal a pragmatic approach, building on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s December 2024 call for partnerships with “truly progressive” parties to rebuild Nigeria. Ezeokenwa’s leadership, solidified by a November 2024 Supreme Court ruling affirming his chairmanship, has focused on internal reforms, including digital membership systems and reconciliation efforts, positioning APGA for broader collaboration.

The party’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including roles for figures like Bianca Ojukwu in the cabinet, has sparked debate. Ezeokenwa defends this as consistent with APGA’s history of working with ruling coalitions to influence policy, though critics argue it risks diluting the party’s progressive identity. Political analysts see the potential alliance strategy as a bid to play kingmaker in a competitive 2027 race, especially as opposition parties explore coalitions to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While the move could expand APGA’s relevance, it carries risks of alienating its South East base or repeating past merger missteps, like the 2013 factional split with the APC. Social media reactions are mixed, with some praising the pragmatism and others questioning APGA’s national ambitions. As the NEC deliberates, APGA’s choice could reshape Nigeria’s electoral dynamics, signaling a trend toward coalition-building in a pivotal election year.