As Nigeria begins to warm up for the 2027 general election, respected elder statesman and founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Tanko Yakasai, believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the most likely candidate to win — at least for now.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Yakasai said he isn’t aware of any unified northern push for a regional candidate. “I haven’t heard of any official position from the Arewa Consultative Forum regarding 2027. What some are presenting as the Forum’s stance is really just individual opinion. The North as a whole hasn’t made a decision,” he said.
He urged patience, saying any regional consensus is still taking shape. In the meantime, Yakasai pointed to Tinubu’s current advantages as a sitting president, including his team of ministers and governors backing him.
“In Nigeria today, Bola Tinubu is the president. He has the machinery, the influence, and the momentum. Who else right now has what it takes to challenge that?” he asked, suggesting that unless something dramatic changes, Tinubu remains the candidate to beat.
Yakasai also noted that Tinubu continues to enjoy support beyond his political base and hasn’t alienated the North in any significant way. “The North alone can’t decide the presidency,” he added, implying a broader coalition still supports Tinubu.
Obidient Movement Pushes Back: “We Need New Leadership”
However, not everyone shares Yakasai’s optimism. The Obidient Movement, a political movement aligned with Peter Obi, quickly responded through its national coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, who respectfully disagreed with the elder statesman.
“We respect Alhaji Yakasai deeply — as a father and elder — but we believe younger, better-prepared leaders are ready to rebuild Nigeria,” Tanko said.
He pointed to the harsh economic conditions and rising hardship under Tinubu’s leadership as evidence that the country needs change.
“The level of poverty and hunger — especially in the North — is something we’ve never seen before. Youth unemployment is skyrocketing, businesses are closing, and policies are choking the economy,” he said.
Tanko urged Yakasai to reconsider his position. “Nepotism has grown alarmingly. The current administration’s failures should not be rewarded with another term. We need a leader who can restore hope and opportunity for our generation.”
PDP: Tinubu Will Lose — and By a Wide Margin
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also weighed in. Timothy Osadolor, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, said Yakasai’s view is out of touch with the current political climate.
“With all due respect, President Tinubu will be a one-term president. The coalition against him is growing stronger, and people are tired,” Osadolor stated confidently.
He acknowledged Yakasai’s long-standing role in national affairs but said even the most respected voices can sometimes be disconnected from the present moment.
“This election is about Nigeria’s soul and the future of our children. We cannot let a visionless administration continue. Alhaji Yakasai may be speaking from a place of nostalgia, but the facts on the ground tell a different story.”
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