Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has asserted that both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi lack the necessary political structure in Northern Nigeria to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at a weekend event in Kano, Ganduje described the North as the essential battleground that determines the outcome of presidential races.
He further argued that neither opposition leader possesses the deep-rooted grassroots backing required to secure victory across the region.
According to Ganduje, “The North is strategic in every presidential election in Nigeria. With due respect to our friends in the opposition, neither Peter Obi nor Atiku Abubakar can mobilise sufficient support in this region to defeat President Tinubu in 2027.”
Additionally, the former APC Chairman asserted that, despite ongoing discussions regarding an opposition alliance, neither Atiku nor Obi has built the formidable political machinery needed across the North to command major vote tallies.
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce stricter registration criteria, insisting that the electoral body should only recognize political parties that maintain functional organization, clear ideological foundations, and a true nationwide reach.
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Backstory…
The debate over the opposition’s chances in the 2027 presidential election has intensified as APC leaders continue to express confidence that President Bola Tinubu remains the candidate to beat.
Since the emergence of coalition talks involving Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other opposition figures, several APC chieftains have argued that the alliance lacks the political structure, nationwide spread and electoral strength needed to unseat the ruling party.
They also contend that, despite Nigeria’s economic challenges, Tinubu retains significant support across key voting blocs and remains well-positioned for re-election.
Meanwhile, the northern states account for a significant share of Nigeria’s registered voters and have historically played a pivotal role in determining presidential election outcomes. As a result, political parties and presidential candidates often invest heavily in building alliances and securing endorsements across the region, with analysts noting that winning substantial northern support is often considered critical to mounting a successful bid for the presidency.
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