2027: Atiku Poses No Major Threat to Tinubu, Lagos APC Chieftain Insists

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Kamal Salau-Bashua, has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar does not pose a serious threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Salau-Bashua, a former Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), made the remarks during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

He acknowledged Atiku’s constitutional right to contest the presidency but maintained that the former vice-president’s ambition was not a major concern for Tinubu.

“Atiku Abubakar is entitled to contest the presidential election, just like any other qualified Nigerian, but I do not consider his ambition a major threat to President Tinubu,” he said.

The APC chieftain stressed that the outcome of the election would ultimately depend on the decisions of Nigerians at the ballot box.

He said voters would make their choices based on their assessment of the performance of the present administration.

Salau-Bashua urged political parties and their candidates to concentrate on presenting credible programmes and engaging directly with the electorate rather than depending on political calculations, alliances or assumptions about electoral victory.

According to him, electoral success requires popular support, effective grassroots mobilisation and a proper understanding of the expectations of voters.

“An election is not won merely through political declarations or the popularity of a candidate. It requires the support of the people, effective mobilisation and a clear understanding of their expectations,” he stated.

He also argued that the Tinubu administration should be given the opportunity to explain its policies, achievements and ongoing reforms to Nigerians before the 2027 elections.

Salau-Bashua urged citizens to assess the government’s performance, particularly in the areas of economic recovery, infrastructure development and national growth.

While acknowledging that every administration faces challenges, he said Nigerians should also consider the long-term objectives of government policies and the efforts being made to address the country’s difficulties.

He called on political leaders to engage constructively with the electorate and offer practical solutions to national challenges.

The former council chairman further appealed to political parties, supporters and other stakeholders to embrace issue-based campaigns, peaceful political participation and respect for the electoral process.

He maintained that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend on the willingness of political actors to respect the people’s mandate and allow votes to determine the outcome.

Salau-Bashua added that political tolerance and respect for voters’ choices remained essential to sustaining democratic participation in the country.