2027: North Doesn’t Trust Peter Obi, Zoning Works Against Atiku — Anthony Sani

As the 2027 general elections approach, Anthony Sani, the former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has expressed skepticism regarding Peter Obi’s ability to garner trust from Northern voters, suggesting they are unlikely to support him for even a single term as Nigeria’s leader. Sani further remarked that Atiku’s chances of overcoming Bola Tinubu in the election may be hindered by the prevailing politics of zoning.

In an interview with Nigeria News 247, Sani emphasized that Tinubu is better positioned to secure votes from the North and maintain his presidency.

When considering who might capture the bloc votes of former President Buhari’s supporters in the North — between Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi — it appears that President Bola Tinubu holds the advantage. This is largely due to Buhari’s previous statements indicating his allegiance to the APC and his disapproval of coalitions that oppose it.

Buhari’s loyal supporters are expected to remain steadfast, as they have been instilled with a sense of loyalty to the party that facilitated his two terms in office.

Regarding whether Tinubu can secure Northern votes without Buhari’s influence, Sani believes it is still feasible. He argues that Buhari’s supporters would be unwilling to abandon their loyalty, especially since Buhari himself affirmed his commitment to the APC until his death.

As for the opposition coalition’s prospects against Tinubu, Sani suggests they may struggle to mount a successful challenge. The current political landscape does not favor them, and unless Tinubu significantly falters in his performance — which Sani hopes will not happen — the North is likely to prefer allowing him to complete the tenure designated for a Southern candidate, given that he is the only Southerner eligible for just one term.

Sani reiterated the Northern distrust towards Peter Obi, referencing former President Jonathan’s broken promise to serve only one term as a cautionary example. He noted that Atiku’s campaign may also be adversely affected by the zoning debate, as both Southern and many Northern constituents advocate for zoning to promote national unity and stability.

Finally, there are questions about which candidates the opposition coalition should consider presenting to enhance their chances against Tinubu. Speculation currently centers around Atiku.