Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, asserts that Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi do not possess the necessary political backing in Northern Nigeria to challenge President Bola Tinubu successfully in the 2027 general election.
During a weekend gathering in Kano, Ganduje emphasized that the Northern region remains the pivotal factor in determining the outcome of presidential contests. He contended that both opposition figures lack the essential grassroots connections required to secure a victory in the area.
According to Ganduje, the North remains a strategic stronghold. He noted that even with potential alliances being discussed by the opposition, neither Abubakar nor Obi has established a robust political presence throughout the North that would threaten the current administration. Furthermore, the former chairman urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to impose more rigorous criteria for party registration. He argued that tightening these standards would enhance democratic integrity by limiting participation to organizations that demonstrate tangible infrastructure, defined ideologies, and a broad national footprint.
