2027 Election: Northern Stakeholders Ask Atiku Not to Contest Against Tinubu, Give Reason

2027 Election: Northern Stakeholders Ask Atiku Not to Contest Against Tinubu, Give Reason

  • Political actors involved in the coalition aimed at democratically ousting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election are strongly strategising
  • It is understood that the opposition members believe that if they field a competent and credible southern candidate, defeating President Tinubu would be much easier
  • Legit.ng gathered that many stakeholders—especially those from the north—are urging Atiku Abubakar to step down and allow the coalition to support a southern candidate who will serve a single term if elected

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering reporting on political parties, elections, religion, civil society organisations, and more.

FCT, Abuja - Northern stakeholders are pushing for southern aspirants to commit to a single-term agreement.

This is as coalition talks to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections gain traction.

Plot by Atiku and others against Tinubu thickens ahead of 2027 election
Some political stakeholders working to defeat Bola Tinubu are persuading Atiku Abubakar not to contest in the 2027 election. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar
Source: Facebook

As reported by The Punch on Monday, April 7, a source involved in the coalition negotiations disclosed that northern stakeholders are urging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to run. Atiku is a key chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a serial presidential candidate.

Read also

2027 presidency: “Why Tinubu may dump VP Shettima,” Top political analyst speaks

The source added that most stakeholders believe that if all coalition leaders unite behind a southern candidate, President Tinubu can be defeated.

The source divulged:

“Most of us understand that if we field a competent and credible southern candidate, defeating President Tinubu would be much easier. Therefore, many stakeholders, especially those from the North, are urging Atiku to step down and allow the coalition to support a southern candidate who will serve a single term if elected.
“In fact, some of these stakeholders are insisting that any southern aspirant the coalition will support must agree to a single-term commitment.
"These issues are emerging, but we are committed to addressing them as they arise and accommodating the many Nigerians who are fed up with the APC’s maladministration. Our goal is to ensure a fair process that represents the interests of the people and strengthens the unity of the coalition.”

Read also

Is President Tinubu plotting to 'dump' Shettima in the 2027 election? APC breaks silence

Can coalition stop Tinubu?

Meanwhile, Umar, the first son of the late Aliyu Akwe-Doma, former Nasarawa state governor, said no coalition gang-up can stop Tinubu's re-election.

Akwe-Doma declared that no political alliance, especially in northern Nigeria, would stop Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Atiku and others lead coalition against Tinubu
Hurdles lie on Tinubu's path to the Nigerian second-term presidency. Photo credit: Kola Sulaimon
Source: Getty Images

He vowed to collapse the entire structure of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Nasarawa state into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strengthen the ruling party’s presence and support Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.

Obi speaks on possibility of defecting to APC

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that ahead of the 2027 election, Peter Obi said that he was not a member of the ruling APC and did not intend to become a member in the future.

In a recent statement shared on his verified X page, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election said his stance on politics was always rooted in integrity, fairness, and issue-based engagement.

Read also

Obi makes cryptic reference to Tinubu’s Chicago University issue, alleged drug scandal, video trends

The 63-year-old expressed his firm belief that all political parties should 'assess aspirants solely on their competence, capacity, and compassion - qualities essential for building a better Nigeria'.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola avatar

Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.

Nkem Ikeke avatar

Nkem Ikeke (Copy editor) Nkem Ikeke is currently a copy editor who also writes for the politics and current affairs desk on weekends. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2010), and has over 10 years of work experience in the media industry (Reporter, News Agency of Nigeria). Email: n.ikeke@corp.legit.ng