Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has challenged President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prepare for a difficult electoral contest in Northern Nigeria, alleging that the ruling party underestimates voters and may rely on financial inducements ahead of the 2027 general election.
Baba-Ahmed made the remarks in a statement reportedly published on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, according to Arise News. The post has not been independently verified, so its original publication and date should be confirmed before the statement is attributed definitively.
He questioned what Tinubu’s supporters would tell voters across several Northern states, including Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau, Kogi and Nasarawa.
“Their problem is that they underestimate the people of Northern Nigeria. They believe they can buy us off and make us forget the humiliation and neglect we have experienced under Tinubu’s administration,” Baba-Ahmed said, as quoted by Arise News.
He also alleged that the ruling party’s campaign could involve distributing money on an unprecedented scale to influence voters. However, he provided no evidence in the reported statement to substantiate that allegation, and the account does not establish that the APC has adopted such a strategy.
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Why the Northern vote matters
Baba-Ahmed’s intervention places voter dissatisfaction and the integrity of the electoral process at the centre of the emerging 2027 campaign debate.
Northern Nigeria contains several states with substantial electorates, making its voting patterns an important consideration for presidential contenders. Yet the region is not a single political bloc. Voters across its states have different priorities, political loyalties and experiences of government, meaning that no party can safely assume uniform support.
The PRP chairman maintained that financial inducements would not automatically erase voters’ grievances. He said citizens would demonstrate that their dignity and political choices mattered.
His warning extended to the counting and declaration of votes. “If we reject the APC and Tinubu, nobody should attempt to manipulate or overturn the outcome of the election,” he said.
The statement did not identify a specific plan to manipulate the 2027 results or provide evidence that such an attempt was underway. His remarks therefore constitute a political warning rather than proof of electoral interference.
The test beyond campaign promises
Baba-Ahmed concluded by challenging Tinubu’s supporters to face the coming contest, declaring, “Let the contest begin.”
The exchange highlights a central question for the next presidential election: whether parties can win public confidence through their records, policies and campaign commitments rather than assumptions about regional loyalty.
For voters, the practical issues will include living costs, employment, security and access to essential services. The strength of any party’s support will ultimately depend on how voters assess its performance and alternatives.
As political mobilisation intensifies, allegations of vote-buying or electoral manipulation will require credible evidence and scrutiny by the relevant authorities. Equally, the eventual result must reflect voters’ choices, protected by transparent procedures and the lawful resolution of disputes.
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