By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has dismissed the 2027 presidential ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, insisting that neither opposition figure commands the grassroots support needed to defeat President Bola Tinubu in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a public event in Kano over the weekend, Ganduje described the North as the “deciding region” in every presidential election, arguing that without its backing, no candidate can realistically clinch the nation’s top seat.
“The North is strategic in every presidential election in Nigeria. With due respect to our friends in the opposition, neither Peter Obi nor Atiku Abubakar can mobilise sufficient support in this region to defeat President Tinubu in 2027,” Ganduje stated.
The former APC national chairman further took a swipe at ongoing opposition coalition talks, suggesting that they amount to little more than political posturing. He argued that despite the noise from opposition camps, both Atiku and Obi have failed to build strong political structures across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Structure matters. It is not about social media buzz or media interviews. It is about ward-to-ward mobilisation, local government presence, and trusted alliances with traditional and religious institutions. That is what the North respects, and that is what they lack,” he added.
Ganduje also used the occasion to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to introduce stricter conditions for registering political parties. He argued that only parties with functional structures, clear ideologies, and verifiable nationwide presence should be granted recognition ahead of future elections.
“Stricter registration standards will strengthen our democracy by ensuring that only viable political parties participate in elections. We cannot continue to have parties that exist only in Abuja or on paper. INEC must raise the bar,” he said.
His comments come amid growing speculation about a possible merger between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, as well as other opposition groups, to form a united front against Tinubu in 2027. However, Ganduje dismissed the prospect, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains firmly in control of the North’s political landscape.
The former governor of Kano State also reiterated his confidence in President Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing ongoing federal infrastructure projects and economic reforms as key selling points for the region.
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