* ‘Obi will win,’ says Babachir
* ‘Tinubu’ll be victorious by wide margin’ — Festus Fuanter
* They can’t match our grassroots political machinery in North — Ganduje
By Teddy Nwanunobi (Abuja) and Yakubu Wuyep (Jos)
As the 2027 Nigerian presidential election approaches, Nigerians have begun to weigh in on the chances of some presidential candidates in what looks like presidential rematches.
Consequently, supporters of President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi have been deeply divided over the matter.
Speaking on the chances, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, said that a joint ticket pairing Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for the 2027 presidential election would give the duo a far stronger shot at victory than if either man runs alone.
Lawal offered percentage-based assessments of the leading contenders’ prospects.
On his own scale, Lawal put an Obi-Kwankwaso combination at close to 70 per cent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 50 per cent, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar at zero.
”Peter Obi will try to be fair to everybody. Peter Obi will try to do that which is right. Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, take note, I’m pairing them. I’m pairing them. Individually will be a disaster, but I’m pairing them. So, I’ll give them, on my own scale, close to like 70 per cent. Again, Bola, 50. Atiku, zero,” Lawal, who made the prediction during an interview with Symfoni TV, said.
The former SGF was particularly blunt about Atiku’s electoral future, insisting the ex-vice president would not win regardless of the circumstances.
”Definitely, Atiku will lose. He will, and I pray he loses. I’m not the only one, and he will lose.”
Lawal’s comments carry added weight given his recent history with Atiku after repeatedly alleging that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary process that Atiku was rigged.
The ADC has not formally acknowledged those claims.
Obi, for his part, left the ADC on May 2, 2026, and was ratified as the presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC) on May 29, 2026, for the 2027 general elections.
Recall that Atiku’s camp dismissed Lawal’s allegations regarding the ADC presidential primary, and argued that no verifiable evidence was presented.
Phrank Shaibu said the former SGF relied on unnamed sources and unproven claims, adding that serious accusations required factual backing.
The statement suggested Lawal’s criticism stemmed from dissatisfaction over the outcome of the party’s presidential primary contest.
In his submission, a former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr Festus Fuanter, is very confident that Tinubu will be declared winner, with a wide margin, saying that his performance in the last three years is yielding positive impacts.
Fuanter, who spoke in Jos, Plateau State, said that the ruling APC was on course for greater electoral success in the 2027 general elections.
He expressed confidence that the reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration will soon translate into tangible dividends capable of earning the confidence of Nigerians.
Fuanter stated that despite prevailing economic challenges, the Tinubu administration has embarked on bold reforms designed to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
He argued that one of the administration’s landmark achievements is the unprecedented increase in financial allocations to states, following ongoing fiscal reforms.
He noted that sub-national governments now have greater resources than ever before to execute developmental projects and improve the welfare of their people.
”With the increased inflow of funds to the states, citizens should equally demand transparency and accountability from their respective governors, insisting that every state government must be held responsible for translating available resources into visible infrastructure, improved public services and meaningful development,” he stated.
Fuanter maintained that several policy initiatives introduced by the Federal Government are still at various stages of implementation and require time to mature, expressing confidence that Nigerians will witness greater economic recovery, improved infrastructure and
He called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and continue to support policies capable of strengthening the nation’s economy, insisting that there is light at the end of the tunnel, despite the current challenges confronting the country.
He maintained that the APC remains well positioned ahead of the next general elections, saying the party’s growing reform agenda, coupled with ongoing developmental efforts at the federal level, would continue to strengthen public confidence and ultimately shape the political landscape as the nation prepares for 2027.
Also speaking on the chances of the trio, the immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, said that both Atiku and Obi lack the Northern grassroots structures and regional support needed to unseat Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Ganduje, who spoke in Kano, said Northern Nigeria remains the deciding factor in presidential elections, arguing that neither opposition figure has the political strength to secure enough support in 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 enough support in this region to defeat President Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
Ganduje maintained that both politicians lack the grassroots political machinery required to make significant electoral gains across the North, despite ongoing political realignments among opposition parties ahead of the next general election.
He also expressed concern over the increasing number of registered political parties in the country, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen the requirements for party registration.
According to him, only political parties with functional structures, well-defined ideologies and broad national presence should be recognised by the electoral commission.
The former APC national chairman said stricter registration standards would help strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process by ensuring that only viable political parties participate in elections.
His remarks come amid growing consultations and coalition talks among opposition politicians seeking to challenge President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
As Nigerians get closer to the potential rematches involving Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi, the ruling camp argues that economic reforms and a fractured opposition guarantee victory, while critics and opposition supporters point to widespread hardship and push for coalition alliances.
There is a growing view that the supporters and administration officials maintain that Tinubu holds a strong advantage due to the ruling party’s wide state control and ongoing structural reforms.
But many citizens have expressed frustration over the high living costs and economic pressure, fueling a strong desire for alternative leadership.