As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony Sani, has weighed in on the emerging political landscape, casting doubt on the chances of opposition leaders Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar defeating incumbent President Bola Tinubu.
Sani, in a recent interview, stated that a significant portion of Northern voters do not trust Labour Party’s Peter Obi enough to back him for even a single term in office.
According to him, the North would rather support President Tinubu to complete what they consider the South’s rightful two-term rotation, than risk supporting a candidate they perceive as politically unreliable.
“The North cannot trust Peter Obi to do just one term. Remember that President Jonathan once promised to do one term but failed to keep that promise,” Sani said.
He also criticized the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, arguing that the politics of zoning works against his ambition.
“Most Southerners and many Northerners support zoning in the interest of national unity and stability. Atiku’s ambition undermines that principle, which could cost him broad-based support,” Sani said.
When asked who could possibly command former President Muhammadu Buhari’s support base in the North, Sani argued that Tinubu still holds the advantage.
He claimed that Buhari’s loyalists remain committed to the APC because of the former President’s deep ties with the party.
“Buhari told the nation and his supporters that he remains loyal to the APC, and given the nature of his supporters, they would not want to betray him — even in death,” Sani said.
Despite growing talks of a grand opposition coalition involving Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and others under a possible Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC) banner, Sani expressed skepticism.
He noted that unless President Tinubu performs extremely poorly before the election — which he does not foresee — the coalition lacks both a viable alternative agenda and the political momentum to unseat him.
“The opposition has not told Nigerians what they will do differently. Even on the controversial fuel subsidy issue, all major candidates — Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi — campaigned on its removal. So, there’s no real difference in policy direction,” Sani argued.
Discussing possible opposition ticket combinations such as Atiku/Obi or Atiku/Amaechi, Sani dismissed them as non-threatening to Tinubu’s re-election bid. “The result will be the same,” he said.
On the role of notable political figures like Nasir El-Rufai and Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sani suggested that El-Rufai may lack grassroots influence but acknowledged Kwankwaso’s stronghold in Kano.
He even hinted at a potential defection of Kwankwaso to the APC, which could significantly bolster Tinubu’s chances.
“El-Rufai is an intelligent technocrat but not a street politician. Kwankwaso, on the other hand, can deliver Kano and may add more political value by aligning with the APC,” Sani concluded.
With less than two years to the polls, Sani’s remarks underscore the growing belief that unless the opposition can unite under a compelling and credible alternative, President Bola Tinubu may retain power beyond 2027.
