Ganduje: Atiku, Obi lack Northern structure to defeat Tinubu in 2027

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

Speaking at a public event in Kano at the weekend, Ganduje described the North as the deciding region in presidential elections, and argued that the two opposition leaders lack the grassroots support needed to win the region.

“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.

Ganduje also said that despite ongoing opposition coalition talks, Atiku and Obi have not built strong political structures across the North to make significant electoral gains.

The former APC chairman called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to introduce stricter conditions for registering political parties.

He said only parties with functional structures, clear ideologies and nationwide presence should be recognised.

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