A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar cannot rely solely on Hausa-Fulani support to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso made the assertion in a statement signed on Monday, arguing that the political landscape in northern Nigeria had changed and that ethnic or regional sentiments alone would not guarantee electoral support.
According to the APC chieftain, Atiku does not command the level of acceptance and political influence that the late President Muhammadu Buhari enjoyed across the North.
“Atiku is not Buhari. He does not possess the size, stature and acceptance of the late Nigerian President to pose a threat to President Tinubu,” Kwankwaso said.
He also questioned Atiku’s record during his eight years as vice-president, arguing that voters were increasingly concerned about leadership performance and policies capable of improving their living conditions.
“Atiku has yet to show Nigerians what he achieved during his eight years as vice president. Voters are now more concerned about leadership performance, development and policies that can improve their lives than ethnic or religious sentiments,” he said.
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Kwankwaso further argued that the North had moved beyond what he described as primordial sentiments, insisting that appeals based on ethnic and religious identity would not necessarily translate into electoral support.
“The North has gone beyond primordial sentiment, and his penchant for relying on the ethno-religious card will certainly fail him,” he added.
The APC chieftain also alleged that some of Atiku’s political associates were concerned about his ability to secure support among Hausa-Fulani voters. However, he did not provide details to substantiate the claim.
Kwankwaso expressed confidence in Tinubu’s standing in northern Nigeria, despite efforts by opposition figures to build a regional alliance against the President ahead of the 2027 election.
“Tinubu would remain a formidable contender in the North despite attempts by opposition forces to build a regional coalition against the President,” he said.
