Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under fire from Nigeria's opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections. Major political parties and pressure groups have faulted his claim that there is no southern candidate capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the next electoral cycle.
Parties Reject Atiku's Northern Push
The Labour Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) voiced their disagreement. Additionally, the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient Movements rejected the former vice president's stance.
According to The Punch, these political parties and groups insisted that the presidency should remain in the south in 2027 to ensure political stability, fairness, and cohesion. Their reaction followed a statement by Atiku's media aide, Olusola Sanni, on Sunday, May 10, warning opposition parties against zoning their tickets to the south.
Atiku's Camp Defends Position
Atiku's camp had argued that while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could retain its southern presidency in favor of President Tinubu, it would be a political miscalculation for opposition parties to follow the same path. They maintained that by 2027, the south would have ruled the country longer than the north since the return of democracy in 1999.
The opposition parties, however, countered that the presidency should rotate to the south for equity. They emphasized that zoning is crucial for national unity and that Atiku's northern agenda could backfire. The NDC specifically accused Atiku of attempting to destabilize the opposition coalition.
Political analysts suggest that this internal rift could weaken the opposition's chances against the APC in 2027. The debate continues as parties prepare for primaries and coalition talks.
