Obi, Atiku Lack Northern Political Structure to Defeat Tinubu in 2027 — Ganduje

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi do not have the political structure required in Northern Nigeria to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Ganduje made the remark while speaking at a public event in Kano over the weekend.

According to him, Northern Nigeria remains the decisive region in presidential elections, and opposition candidates must have strong grassroots support across the region to stand a realistic chance of winning.

“The North is strategic in every presidential election in Nigeria. With due respect to our friends in the opposition, neither Peter Obi nor Atiku Abubakar can mobilise sufficient support in this region to defeat President Tinubu in 2027,” he said.

The former Kano State governor also argued that despite ongoing coalition discussions among opposition parties, Atiku and Obi have not built strong political structures across Northern Nigeria capable of delivering major electoral gains.

Ganduje further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to introduce stricter requirements for the registration of political parties.

He said only parties with functional structures, clear ideologies and a nationwide presence should be recognised by the electoral body.

“Stricter registration standards will strengthen our democracy by ensuring that only viable political parties participate in elections,” he stated.