Dr. Umar Ardo, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, has said that no governor can guarantee victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in northern Nigeria, despite the recent wave of defections into the ruling party.
Speaking during an interview with TRUST TV, Ardo said the belief that governors can deliver the North to the APC in a presidential election is misleading and does not reflect the political reality of the region.
“I am from northern Nigeria and I know the terrain very well,” Ardo said.
“There is no way any governor can deliver the North to the APC in a presidential election.”
He explained that voters in the region are largely independent-minded and are not easily influenced by decisions taken by political elites.
According to him, grassroots voters make their choices based on personal conviction rather than the party affiliation of their governors.
Ardo warned the ruling party against relying too heavily on governors and political defections as a strategy for winning elections.
He said history has shown that political power in the North does not automatically move with elected officials.
He added that focusing on elite politics while ignoring the needs and concerns of ordinary people could backfire for the APC, especially in future presidential contests.
“Forget about the presidency, the APC bringing all governors, you know, into the APC. Where will any governor, especially me who comes from northern Nigeria? I can guarantee you, there is no way that any governor will deliver the APC in northern Nigeria not anywhere. But if they say they will see road,”he said.
2027 elections: No governor can deliver North to APC – Umar Ardo
