2027: Ex-Kano Gov Shekarau Leading Northern Elite, 2 Top Former Heads of State Named as Supporters

• A new political party is emerging to challenge the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria
• Former Kano state governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and his colleagues in the League of Northern Democrats (LND) are leading the charge
• Sources disclosed that ex-head of state, Yakubu Gowon and former President/one-time military leader Olusegun Obasanjo, are among supporters of Shekarau and others' mission

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.

Kano, Kano state - Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano, is leading the northern elite to woo southern bigwigs for an alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Although the next presidential election is in two years, recent political developments are proving to be indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may face a complex political battle. The current ploy to unseat him is gathering more momentum and this has not gone unnoticed.

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The road to Tinubu’s re-election is fraught with challenges, particularly from northern factions seeking to reclaim the presidency. The alleged scheming by northern factions to work against Tinubu’s re-election started with the realignment and meetings among notable northern politicians.

As reported by The Punch on Sunday, January 12, 2025, sources disclosed that ex-head of state, Yakubu Gowon and former President/one-time military leader Olusegun Obasanjo, are among supporters of Shekarau and others' mission.

The newspaper said Umar Sani, a former spokesperson for ex-vice president Namadi Sambo, informed it that the group had already met Obasanjo.

Sani clarified that the League of Northern Democrats (LND) had not yet been registered as a political party.

The LND’s move comes amid political manoeuvres by many leaders aiming to unseat President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

In the same vein, Ladan Salihu, the spokesperson of the group, stated that discussions were ongoing with southern leaders, including former governors, ministers, and senators.

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He said:

“We’ve been contacted by notable politicians from the South, especially from the South-East, who indicated plans to form the League of Southern Democrats.

“Similarly, respected politicians from the south-west have shown interest in joining the LND if it becomes a national platform, or they may even form the League of Western Democrats.

“This is a political metamorphosis that will culminate in the creation of what will eventually become the League of Nigerian Democrats."

Read more on 2027:

• 2027: Atiku reacts as Peter Obi alleges threat to life over New Year message
• 2027: Top APC governor reacts amid merger speculations, 'Tinubu is sending it back'

2027: SDP chairman speaks after meeting El-Rufai

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, stated that there has been no official communication regarding former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, or an ally of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar joining the party.

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Gabam’s remarks come after El-Rufai, Segun Sowunmi, and Hamza Al-Mustapha held a strategic meeting to review the state of opposition democratic engagement in Nigeria.

The closed-door meeting was held at the SDP’s secretariat in Abuja.

Source: Legit.ng