An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has said Atiku Abubakar cannot rely on Hausa-Fulani support alone to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso made the statement in a release signed on Monday. He argued that political dynamics in northern Nigeria had changed and that ethnic and regional loyalties might not guarantee electoral support.
According to Kwankwaso, Atiku lacks the level of acceptance and political influence that the late President Muhammadu Buhari enjoyed across northern Nigeria.
He also claimed that some of Atiku’s political associates had concerns about his ability to secure support among Hausa-Fulani voters. However, the statement did not identify those associates or provide evidence to support the claim.
Kwankwaso expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political standing in the North. He said the president remained in a strong position despite efforts by opposition figures to build a regional alliance against him.
The comments come as political figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, a former vice-president of Nigeria, has contested the presidency several times. Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election and is expected to face competition from opposition parties in the next election.
Kwankwaso’s remarks focus on the potential influence of regional support in the contest. However, the statement did not include polling data or other evidence showing the current level of support for either politician in northern Nigeria. The statement also did not provide details of the opposition alliance referenced by Kwankwaso.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for organising federal elections in Nigeria.
Further developments are expected as political parties and their leaders prepare for the 2027 election.
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