Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has predicted that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will win the 2027 presidential election. Melaye, who represented Kogi West in the Senate, described Atiku as the only candidate with national appeal, stating confidently that the 79-year-old politician is coming in great style.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, June 10, Melaye wrote alongside an image bearing the inscription 'Atiku Abubakar 2027': 'The only name that echoes across all corners of Nigeria is His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON. Atiku is coming in great style, with the voice of the youth, the dreams of the people, and the mission to unite Nigeria for real progress, peace, and prosperity.'
ADC Presidential Primary Victory
Melaye, a staunch ally of Atiku, had earlier congratulated him on his landslide victory at the ADC presidential primary held in late May. The ADC announced that Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes, defeating former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who got 504,117 votes, and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who received 177,120 votes. Melaye compared Atiku's victory to Arsenal's recent English Premier League (EPL) title win, noting that both Atiku and Arsenal are his favorite teams. He posted on X: 'Oga (boss), you did it like Arsenal.'
Key Voter Concerns Ahead of 2027 Election
Economic hardship and widespread insecurity are among the top concerns for Nigerian voters ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027. Atiku, a veteran politician from Adamawa State, is one of the leading contenders challenging President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Another major candidate is Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Despite Atiku's perceived national appeal, many political observers believe President Tinubu remains the candidate to beat.
Nigerians will head to the polls on January 16, 2027, to elect the president, vice president, senators, and members of the House of Representatives. The election is expected to be highly competitive, with voters prioritizing issues such as economic recovery, job creation, and security.
Political Analysts Weigh In
Political analysts have noted that while Atiku enjoys significant support in some regions, Tinubu's incumbency advantage and strong party machinery could pose a challenge. Some observers also point to the possibility of a third-force candidate, such as Peter Obi, disrupting the two-horse race, as seen in the 2023 election. However, Melaye remains confident that Atiku's experience and national appeal will secure him victory.
Earlier, Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine, predicted that either Tinubu or Atiku would win the 2027 election, suggesting that a third force may lack the political strength to unseat the two seasoned politicians.
