2027: Why North alone cannot decide Nigeria’s next President — Yakassai

As the anti-Tinubu coalition, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, gains momentum in Northern Nigeria, elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakassai has stressed that the North alone cannot determine who emerges president in 2027.

Yakassai made this known while reacting to the growing alliance against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The League of Northern Democrats also clarified on Monday that its mission is not about seizing power but about fixing the country’s challenges.

This comes after Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser to President Tinubu, remarked that the North would soon define its political direction for 2027.

Baba-Ahmed insisted no politician could win the presidency without Northern backing.

Yakassai, however, maintained that presidential elections are a national affair requiring both North and South to unite behind a strong candidate. “Neither the North nor the South can make a president alone. It must be a joint effort, and beyond popularity, such a candidate must possess the financial capacity because elections in Nigeria now require serious funding,” he said.

He reiterated that while the North holds significant influence because of its numbers, it alone cannot produce a president. According to him, other vital factors like nationwide acceptability and support from key stakeholders are equally important.

Speaking on the matter, National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Prof. Tukur Mohammed Baba, said no one could become president solely on the strength of regional votes. He emphasized that constitutional provisions demand broad, nationwide support. “It’s up to the voters, provided elections are free and fair, to decide the outcome,” he noted.

Recall that on March 20, 2025, Atiku Abubakar announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Tinubu in 2027. However, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, claimed the coalition had already crumbled. Onanuga described Atiku’s political prospects as bleak, asserting that the alliance with figures like Nasir el-Rufai and Baba-Ahmed had collapsed.

Despite this, insiders revealed that President Tinubu is working aggressively to secure political support in the South-South and South-East regions, which has reportedly led to defections from the PDP to the APC in Delta State.

Another political source suggested that although the APC controls 15 Northern states, efforts are underway within the Presidency to ensure no governor works against Tinubu’s second-term bid. “I don’t see those governors going against the party except if anti-party activities driven by Northern interests emerge,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the League of Northern Democrats reiterated that its goal wasn’t to grab power but to rescue Nigeria from worsening decline. Convener of the group, Umar Ardo, said on Arise Television that they seek to reposition Nigeria and improve governance. “We want to be part of a coalition that can successfully challenge incumbency, not for power’s sake but because Nigeria desperately needs fixing,” he stated.

When asked if Tinubu had failed, Ardo replied, “I won’t say he has failed, but he hasn’t met expectations.” He also noted it’s still early in Tinubu’s term to call for his removal.

An aide to Atiku Abubakar, who spoke anonymously, insisted the coalition remains active and carefully progressing.

According to him, the plan is to build a movement from the grassroots rather than relying on governors at this stage.

He dismissed fears that defections would derail the coalition, maintaining that it was never centered around governors but on mass public support to build momentum.