Kwankwaso Claims Atiku Lacks Buhari's Influence for 2027

Dr Iliyasu Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, asserted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar does not possess the political influence or northern acceptance that the late President Muhammadu Buhari had, which would be necessary to effectively challenge President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. In a statement released to journalists in Abuja, Kwankwaso noted that the political dynamics in northern Nigeria have shifted, making it harder for opposition figures to depend on ethnic and regional sentiments for electoral support.

He remarked that Atiku, who has run for the presidency multiple times, has not established a political following comparable to Buhari’s, especially among Hausa-Fulani voters. Kwankwaso criticized Atiku's record during his tenure as vice president from 1999 to 2007 under Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming that Atiku has not demonstrated sufficient leadership capabilities.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu would remain a strong contender in the North for the upcoming election, despite opposition efforts to form a coalition against him.