2027: Who Will Be Nigeria’s Next President: Tinubu, Jonathan, Obi or Atiku?
By Ogheneyovwe Favour Edomi
The political journey towards 2027 in Nigeria is still a mirage. But a pro-Jonathan pressure group, Bring Back Our Goodluck, in Kano has started calling on former President Goodluck Jonathan to stage a political comeback and contest the 2027 presidential election, declaring that Nigerians were “misled in 2015” into voting out his administration. However, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has equally said that even if a new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the father of the president’s opponent, Tinubu will still emerge the winner of the forthcoming 2027 presidential election, asserting further that Tinubu remains the most credible candidate in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.
Investigation revealed that the “combat” for the 2027 presidential election, though, still premature, continues to showcase the magnitude to which the opposition is ready to go in order to wrestle the sole and most cherished seat in Aso Rock from its occupant.
For instance, the coming together of many politicians from PDP, APC and ADC to form a colliation is seen as part of the strategic plan to stop President Tinubu come 2027.
While the re-grouping of politicians are on-going with a view to defeating the incumbent come 2027, the former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has confirmed that he will contest Nigeria’s presidency again in 2027. Atiku, who made his position known through his long-time associate and spokesperson during the 2023 elections, Tunde Olusunle, said he remained committed to leading efforts to rescue Nigeria from what he described as a worsening national decline. His declaration came amid speculations that he may not join the race again.
In the case of former President Jonathan, one of his major backer, Kyari argued that Jonathan’s return was not just desirable but necessary, citing global examples of political comebacks, including Donald Trump in the United States and John Mahama in Ghana. Another of Jonathan’s supporter Bala Mohammed has said it must be Jonathan or no one else. But even then, Ajibola Basiru, the APC chieftain boasted that President Bola Tinubu has no serious challengers. Watchers say the scenaro was different in 2023. For instance, in 2022, before the 2023 presidential election, the PDP was engulfed in a bitter internal battle after Atiku Abubakar, from the North, emerged as the party’s presidential candidate. Wike and the G-5 governors insisted that the national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu—also from the North—must step aside to allow a Southerner lead the party, arguing that both positions could not be occupied by one region. Atiku and his allies rejected the demand, a decision that deepened divisions in the PDP and contributed to its loss in the 2023 presidential election. Three years later, at the PDP’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the party has resolved that since the national chairman remains zoned to the North, the 2027 presidential ticket should go to the South. This according to observers is like waking up from the slumber and the PDP now desperate to save the party from collapse. But those with inside knowledge say the acrimony that has characterised the PDP will be difficult to resolve as long as Nysom Wike, the FCT minister, a PDP member now works for Tinubu of the APC.
The magazine gathered that the desperation is for South to complete its’ eight years tenure before the pendulum swings to the North, but the decision of Atiku Abubakar to run in 2027 is something that is giving political observers another sleepless night should he win the Presidential election.
Those who however watch event more closely say Obi is a more powerful force to recond with. They say his strategy is subtler but no less potent. His strength lies in grassroots energy. Young Nigerians:the “Obidients” who see in him a leader untainted by the same political baggage as others. His record as Anambra governor and his unexpected performance in 2023 have given him credibility that transcends regions.
However, President Bola Tinubu’s desperate search for votes especially in the South West, South East and South South will make him return to the drawing board, preparing to sell himself to the Nigerian people again. Though, within the Tinubu camp, Obi is viewed as the true threat, capable of uniting disenchanted voters across ethnic and religious lines. As for Atiku, though powerful, he is seen as a familiar opponent—predictable and easier to counter. Obi, however, represents unpredictability.
As for Jonathan, the Northern group say “ the APC sold Nigerians deceitful promises, which they never fulfilled. Instead of progress, the country has been plunged into hunger, poverty, and frustration” and the thinking is Jonathan has the answer to the present delimna.
But the APC do not believe that Jonathan would run and even if he choose to run, they do not see him as a threat. As at press time unconfirmed sources say that former President Jonathan said he won’t contest against Peter Obi, noting that contesting against Peter Obi would amount to a betrayal of the South East.
For now, while the party gladiators continue to scheme to outflank one another even as the PDP and ADC brace up for the soul of their parties, the electorates’ concern is whether morning tells the day even as 2027 appears like a suicide mission for some of the perceived Presidential hopefuls. Time will tell.