KEY POINTS
- According to Yakassai both Northern and Southern territories need to join forces to claim the 2027 presidential seat.
- The ACF organization disapproves of Hakeem Baba-Ahmed’s statement about Northern supremacy.
- During the opposition coalition movements Tinubu continues to gain backing from citizens of South-South and South-East areas.
Elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakassai dismissed allegations that northern voters will single-handedly elect the future president of the country as political alliances become more intense before the 2027 elections.
The opposition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar seeks to oust President Bola Tinubu while Yakassai delivers his remarks about political realignment for the upcoming 2027 general election.
According to an interview with 98-year-old Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) founding member Alhaji Tanko Yakassai the position of Nigeria’s president requires support from both northern and southern regions because neither region would make this decision independently.
National elections for president concern the entire country. The North alone cannot determine who becomes President in 2027 presidency; One region by itself does not have the power to elect a president. According to Yakassai the presidential race demands a strong candidate with substantial funding support from both regions.
Northern coalition draws mixed reactions
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who served as an adviser to President Tinubu recently stated that presidential candidates need northern regional backing to achieve victory. Baba-Ahmed explicitly stated that political candidates must obtain Northern backing to win presidential elections. According to Yakassai the North has a vital role because of size but “acceptability and stakeholder support” form the essential elements for success.
ACF distances itself from regional politics
ACF spokesperson Prof. Tukur Mohammed Baba responded that Baba-Ahmed’s opinions reflected his personal stance.
The presidency requires nationwide support above regional voting alone. According to Baba the Nigerian constitution demands broad-based support throughout the nation. According to his statement voters would make the final choice once they exercised their free will.
Tinubu counters coalition with southern moves for 2027 Presidency
Northern politicians viewed Atiku’s coalition base as Southern political areas that Tinubu currently works to secure backing from. Leading members of the PDP in Delta State recently joined the APC which demonstrates a wider national shift.
A source affiliated with the ruling party informed Vanguard that Tinubu actively works to gain southern backing to counter what he perceives as northern obstinacy. The All Progressives Congress (APC) currently governs fifteen states in the north but growing northern political priorities continue to worry some members.
Coalition prioritizing bottom-up strategy — Atiku’s camp
A close aide to Atiku explained that the coalition remains on schedule and maintains strategic restraint when engaging with state governors. A grassroots-built coalition aims to form a broad nationwide movement. According to the aide momentum will increase until governors join. Recent coalition defections pose no problems for their coalition objectives according to him.
League of northern democrats: we want to fix Nigeria in 2027 Presidency
As League of Northern Democrats (LND) convener Umar Ardo explained the group intends to save Nigeria through reform efforts instead of pursuing political control. “We focus on national change efforts and not simply Tinubu’s elimination” according to Ardo during his television appearance. He has not faced failure yet but has also not achieved the level of expectation.
