By Our Correspondent
National News – Fresh divisions have emerged within Nigeria’s opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election after allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar argued that no southern candidate can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next general election.
The debate has triggered sharp reactions from major political parties, pressure groups and political movements across the country.
Atiku’s camp, through media aide Olusola Sanni, warned opposition parties against zoning their presidential tickets to the South.
The statement claimed that Nigerian political history showed no sitting president had been defeated by an opposition challenger from the same geopolitical zone.
It also argued that the South would have spent about 18 years in power by 2027, compared to 10 years for the North since 1999.
However, parties including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, Young Progressives Party, Social Democratic Party and New Nigeria People’s Party rejected the position, insisting that fairness, national unity and political stability required the presidency to remain in the South.
Opposition leaders argued that competence, economic recovery and insecurity would shape the 2027 election more than regional politics.
Labour Party spokesman Ken Asogwa said the 2023 election had already disproved the theory that a southern opposition candidate could not defeat another southerner, while SDP officials insisted Nigerians were more concerned about inflation, insecurity and economic hardship.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement and Obidient Movement also criticised Atiku’s comments, describing them as divisive and capable of deepening regional tension.
Meanwhile, ongoing coalition talks involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have intensified the debate over zoning and opposition strategy ahead of 2027.
Political analysts believe the controversy may determine the structure of alliances seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next presidential election.
