A member of Nigeria's House of Representatives has dismissed the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, asserting they lack the political structures to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
Lawmaker's assessment of opposition candidates
Hon. Abubakar Yalleman, representing the Bichi Federal Constituency of Kano State, made the statement in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. He argued that neither Atiku nor Obi has built the necessary grassroots political machinery across the country to mount a successful challenge against Tinubu, who he said enjoys the backing of a robust political network.
According to Yalleman, the opposition candidates have not invested in party structures at the ward, local government, and state levels, which are critical for mobilizing voters and winning elections in Nigeria. He noted that while Atiku has contested multiple times, he has failed to expand his support base beyond certain regions.
Atiku's electoral track record
Atiku Abubakar, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has run for president six times. He came second to Tinubu in 2023, securing 6.9 million votes against Tinubu's 8.8 million. Yalleman pointed out that Atiku's vote share has remained relatively static, indicating a lack of growth in his political appeal.
Peter Obi's Labour Party movement
Peter Obi, who came third in 2023 with 6.1 million votes, galvanized a youth-led movement but failed to convert that into a durable party structure. The lawmaker argued that the Labour Party lacks presence in many states and cannot sustain the momentum needed for 2027. He said, "Obi's campaign was built on social media hype and not on solid political organization. That cannot win a national election."
Tinubu's political strength
Yalleman highlighted President Tinubu's long-standing political network, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he said has deep roots across the country. He noted that Tinubu's experience as a former governor of Lagos State and his role in building the APC give him an advantage in mobilizing support.
The lawmaker also dismissed speculation of a possible merger between Atiku and Obi ahead of 2027, saying such an alliance would be fragile and unlikely to hold. He added, "They have different ambitions and egos. It is difficult for them to agree on a single candidate."
Reactions from opposition camps
Spokespersons for Atiku and Obi have not officially responded to Yalleman's comments. However, political analysts note that the opposition faces significant challenges in uniting against Tinubu, given internal divisions within the PDP and the Labour Party's organizational weaknesses.
Looking ahead to 2027
With the next presidential election two years away, political realignments are expected. Some observers believe that the opposition may still find common ground, but Yalleman remains skeptical. He concluded, "The opposition is in disarray. Unless they build real structures from the ground up, they will not defeat Tinubu in 2027."
The lawmaker's remarks reflect growing confidence within the APC as the party begins early preparations for the 2027 elections.
