Opposition division hands Tinubu advantage for 2027, says Lamido

A former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has criticised opposition heavyweights Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi for failing to unite ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that their division hands an advantage to President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain argued that a joint ticket featuring Atiku as president and Obi as his running mate would have posed a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Because of the number of governors, both serving and former governors of the APC, and because Atiku and Obi divided their own force, it gives Tinubu the advantage,” Mr Lamido said.

Following the 2023 election, in which incumbent President Tinubu defeated both candidates, attempts to forge a united opposition front faltered. While initial efforts saw opposition figures rally around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), internal disagreements led to defections.

In May 2026, Mr Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which subsequently adopted Mr Obi as its 2027 presidential candidate. Mr Atiku remained in the ADC, securing its presidential ticket.

Mr Lamido claimed that personal political ambitions had taken precedence over national unity, warning that the vitriolic nature of the campaigns was damaging the country.

“Whoever wins, Nigeria will lose. That’s my problem,” he said. “It’s more about their personalities. They are abusing each other.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections for 16 January, with governorship polls to follow on 6 February.