2027: Kalu, other political stakeholders who have backed Atiku to unseat Tinubu

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja – Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, there are strong indications that several political stakeholders are backing perennial candidate Atiku Abubakar to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu, from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has not publicly declared his re-election bid. Still, it is public knowledge that the Nigerian President would most likely seek another term in office.

In this report, Legit.ng has highlighted political stakeholders who have backed Atiku Abubakar in the former Vice President’s quest to democratically unseat President Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

Political stakeholders backing Atiku to unseat Tinubu

1: Senator Felix Ogunwale

In a recent statement cited by the Nigerian Tribune, Senator Felix Kolawole Ogunwale, popularly known as ‘Jumokol’, endorsed Atiku Abubakar for the presidency in 2027.

Expressing deep concern for the nation’s current state, the erstwhile lawmaker and Osun Central representative in the national assembly lamented ‘widespread suffering among Nigerians’, which is said to have been exacerbated by the Tinubu government’s removal of fuel subsidies.

Senator Ogunwale shared positive views about Atiku’s leadership qualities and his purported potential to bring positive change to Nigeria.

Addressing criticism of Atiku, particularly from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Ogunwale attributed these disputes to political dynamics and personal conflicts.

He highlighted Atiku’s experience as vice president under Obasanjo and praised their efforts in managing national debts and other responsibilities. He also defended Atiku against accusations of corruption, asserting that his leadership could bring relief to the Nigerian populace.

2: Emeka Kalu

In August 2024, Emeka Kalu, the director-general (DG) of Global Initiatives for Good Governance (GIGG), expressed strong support for Atiku, stating that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader is the only candidate capable of defeating the APC in the 2027 general elections.

Kalu responded to remarks made by Bode George, a Lagos-based chieftain of the PDP, who suggested that 78-year-old Atiku should wait until 2031 to run for president again. Kalu dismissed this notion, arguing that leadership requires individuals with the experience and skills that Atiku possesses.

He praised Atiku as a leader with a broad national appeal, noting his strong relationships across Nigeria’s diverse regions. Kalu also criticised those who opposed the former Vice President, accusing them of promoting inexperienced individuals for political office to gain personal benefits.

“As the curtain of the 2027 general elections closes on, Atiku Abubakar remains the only leader with the wealth of experience to fix Nigeria, rejuvenate the nation’s crumbling economy, and bring it to the front page of excellence.”

3: Dele Momodu

In October 2024, media entrepreneur Dele Momodu pushed back at critics of Atiku contesting the 2027 presidential election.

In an interview on Channels Television, he wondered why people feared the Adamawa-born politician’s presidential ambition.

According to him, only God and destiny would determine whether Atiku achieved his lifelong presidential ambition come 2027.

Asked if the aspiring Nigerian leader would be a threat to President Tinubu’s reelection bid, Momodu replied:

“I’m sure they [Atiku’s critics] believe so. I know those who believe that he is the only one right now. Atiku will be a threat if he is able to galvanise a mega political party. He [Atiku] will be a threat.”

The PDP chieftain said Abubakar stands a chance in 2027 if the ‘mood of the nation is overwhelmingly opposed to the current leader’.

2027: APC chieftain speaks on threat of opposition

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a chieftain of the APC in Kano state said if Atiku and Peter Obi had united in 2023, his party and Tinubu, the incumbent president, would have lost.

Speaking during an interview on Mic on Podcast, Ismael Ahmed expressed his fervent hope for his party that the two opposition leaders would not join forces in the 2027 polls.

Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng

Source: Legit.ng