2027: Atiku Camp Warns Opposition Against Zoning Presidency to South

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly opposed calls for the opposition to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, warning that such a strategy could hand President Bola Ahmed Tinubu an easy path to re-election.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by Atiku’s media aide, Olusola Sanni, the former vice president’s camp described the growing demand for a southern opposition candidate as politically unrealistic, strategically weak and historically unsupported.

According to the statement, there is no precedent in Nigeria’s democratic history where an opposition candidate from the same geopolitical region as a sitting president successfully defeated an incumbent.

“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president? Nigerian political history offers no precedent for such an outcome,” the statement said.

“No incumbent president has ever been defeated by an opposition challenger from the same geopolitical bloc. To insist otherwise is to enter the contest already defeated.”

The statement comes amid increasing political realignments and coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly among opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Political stakeholders across the country have been divided over whether power should remain in Southern Nigeria after Tinubu’s first term or rotate back to the North under Nigeria’s informal zoning arrangement.

While the Atiku camp acknowledged that the APC could reasonably retain a southern presidential candidate because Tinubu is the incumbent, it argued that the opposition should not blindly adopt the same approach without carefully evaluating electoral realities.

“Defeating an incumbent president requires realism, not romanticism; strategy, not sentiment; honesty, not selective memory,” the statement noted.

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“The opposition must decide whether its goal is to make an emotional statement or to actually win power.”

The former vice president’s camp also challenged the “equity and fairness” argument frequently advanced by proponents of southern zoning.

According to the statement, by 2027, Southern Nigeria would have held presidential power for nearly 18 years in the Fourth Republic, while the North would have governed for roughly 10 years.

The Atiku camp argued that extending southern leadership beyond Tinubu’s tenure would further deepen political imbalance rather than correct it.

“It therefore becomes difficult to understand the justice in an argument that seeks to deepen an already existing imbalance under the guise of equity,” the statement added.

The camp also accused some political actors of hypocrisy and selective interpretation of zoning principles, especially regarding events surrounding the 2011 presidential election.

It recalled that after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010, many politicians who now advocate strict zoning supported the candidacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan from the South-South region, despite expectations that power should remain in the North under the informal rotational arrangement.

“It is intellectually dishonest for those who enthusiastically supported a Southern presidency under Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, despite the North’s legitimate expectation under the informal zoning arrangement, to now suddenly posture as custodians of rotational justice,” the statement argued.

“Principles do not become sacred only when they align with personal ambition.”

The Atiku camp also addressed ongoing conversations about the Southeast producing Nigeria’s next president.

While recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Southeast region, the statement warned against what it described as “symbolic tokenism” and “transactional political bargaining” designed merely to advance individual ambitions rather than genuine national inclusion.

“The Southeast deserves a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership — not symbolic tokenism or bespoke arrangements tailored to satisfy one individual’s ambition,” the statement said.

Although no names were mentioned directly, political observers believe the comments may be linked to ongoing agitation by supporters of Peter Obi and other southeastern political interests advocating a southern or southeastern presidency in 2027.

The statement ultimately urged opposition parties and coalition leaders to prioritise building a broad national alliance capable of defeating Tinubu and the APC rather than engaging in emotional zoning disputes.

Analysts believe the latest position by Atiku’s camp could intensify political tension within opposition circles, particularly within the Peoples Democratic Party and emerging coalition movements ahead of 2027.

Atiku, a northern Muslim politician from Adamawa State, remains one of Nigeria’s most influential opposition figures and has contested for the presidency multiple times since 1993.

Although he has not formally declared his intention to run in 2027, his continued political engagements, coalition talks and public interventions have fueled speculation about another presidential bid.

The debate over zoning, regional balance and electoral strategy is expected to remain one of the defining issues shaping Nigeria’s political landscape in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

2027: Atiku Camp Warns Opposition Against Zoning Presidency to South

APC Disqualifies 32 Fubara Loyalists, Clears Wike Camp for Rivers Assembly Primaries

The Rivers State political crisis deepened on Monday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee disqualified 32 aspirants reportedly linked to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while clearing 29 candidates believed to be loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for the party’s House of Assembly primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

The screening exercise, conducted by a four-member committee appointed by the APC National Working Committee, took place over the weekend at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt. A total of 98 aspirants were screened for the Rivers State House of Assembly tickets.

According to the committee’s report, which was signed by Rt. Hon. Muraina Ajibola (Chairman), Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo (Secretary), Abdullah Hajia Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, and Hon. Danjuma Samuel, the exercise was conducted in a “transparent, orderly and participatory” manner.

Among those disqualified were 32 aspirants allegedly aligned with Governor Fubara’s political structure, including former factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy, Timothy Orubitanubigha, and Chijioke Ihunwo, a known associate of the governor.

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The committee, however, cleared 29 serving lawmakers and aspirants aligned with Wike’s political camp, including Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, House Leader Major Jack, and House Spokesman Enemi Alabo George. Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, was also reportedly cleared and is said to have secured a nomination form to contest for the House of Representatives.

The report stated that the screening process was largely peaceful but noted a disruption involving Oko-Jumbo, who allegedly attempted to enter the venue with security aides, leading to a brief confrontation with police officers before order was restored.

It also alleged that one aspirant, identified as Tonye Garrick Tom-George of the Asari-Toru I constituency, was reported to the police after allegedly presenting an envelope containing cash and a passport photograph in what the committee described as an attempt to influence the screening process.

The committee further disclosed that several petitions were received against aspirants, while a number of candidates were screened out over documentation issues. These included failure to provide valid party membership cards, voter identification cards, discrepancies in names and birth dates, unsworn affidavits, insufficient nominators, and irregularities in academic certificates.

According to the panel, some aspirants were also disqualified for being nominated by individuals who were not financially or structurally verified party members, as well as for inconsistencies in NECO and other academic credentials.

The APC screening committee insisted that it acted within the party’s constitution and guidelines, stressing that the exercise reflected “the democratic ideals and progressive principles” of the party.

The outcome of the screening has further heightened political tension in Rivers State, where rivalry between the camps of Fubara and Wike has continued to dominate party structures and political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of press time, neither the APC national leadership nor Governor Fubara’s camp had issued an official reaction to the disqualification list.

APC Disqualifies 32 Fubara Loyalists, Clears Wike Camp for Rivers Assembly Primaries

“Youths Lokan” Movement Grows as KWAM1’s Daughter Joins Lagos Assembly Race

Damilola Ayomide Ayinde-Marshal, daughter of Fuji music star King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1), has formally declared her intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat representing Surulere Constituency II under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawyer and political aide, who currently serves as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the declaration ahead of the party’s screening exercise, which she described as a key step in assessing the competence and readiness of aspirants seeking elective office.

She said the screening process provides a platform for the party to engage aspirants directly and evaluate their preparedness to represent their constituencies effectively at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Damilola expressed confidence in her chances, saying she remains hopeful of securing the APC ticket as the party progresses with its internal selection process.

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According to her, her political ambition is rooted in sustained grassroots engagement across Surulere Constituency II, where she has held consultations with residents, particularly youths, before officially joining the race. She explained that her decision to run was influenced by her close connection with the community and her desire to contribute to development through legislative representation.

Damilola emphasized the importance of youth inclusion in politics, arguing that young people are often wrongly perceived as unserious or incapable of leadership. She maintained that the younger generation has the capacity to contribute meaningfully to governance, given their understanding of both traditional systems and modern societal realities.

She also reiterated that youths are increasingly ready to take up leadership roles, urging political parties to provide more opportunities for young aspirants seeking elective positions. According to her, the popular phrase “youths lokan” reflects the growing determination of young people to actively participate in governance and political leadership.

While expressing optimism, she stated that she would respect whatever decision the APC eventually takes regarding the party ticket, stressing the importance of loyalty to internal party processes and outcomes.

Damilola is expected to continue her consultations and political engagements ahead of the APC primaries for the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections, where she will be seeking the party’s nomination for Surulere Constituency II.

KWAM1’s Daughter, Damilola Ayomide at the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening exercise ahead of the 2027 elections seeking to represent Surulere Constituency Il at the Lagos House of Assembly

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“Youths Lokan” Movement Grows as KWAM1’s Daughter Joins Lagos Assembly Race