2027 Presidency: Anthony Sani Dismisses Obi’s Chances, Declares Tinubu Northern Favorite

As the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape amid speculations, former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, has weighed in on the political undercurrents likely to shape Nigeria’s next electoral cycle. In a pointed and detailed interview, Sani strongly dismissed the chances of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the Northern bloc’s preferred candidate.

Sani, a respected elder statesman from the North, stated categorically that the region does not trust Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, to adhere to a one-term promise. He compared Obi’s pledge to the failed commitment by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who also promised a single term but went on to seek re-election.

**“The North cannot trust Peter Obi that he will do one term. You would recall President Jonathan pledged to do one term but reneged,”** Sani stated.

### *Tinubu the Beneficiary of Buhari’s Loyalty*

Highlighting the enduring influence of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Sani argued that his loyalists, who remain deeply entrenched in the All Progressives Congress (APC), will continue to throw their support behind President Tinubu. According to Sani, Buhari’s legacy of allegiance to the APC is a compelling factor that will shape Northern voting patterns in 2027.

**“President Bola Tinubu can still get Northern votes because of Buhari’s supporters who would not like to betray Buhari,”** he noted. “Given the nature of Buhari’s supporters, they would not like to betray him even in the grave.”

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Despite Buhari’s passing, Sani believes his political spirit endures within the APC, guiding the loyalty of his base and bolstering Tinubu’s second-term prospects.

### *Zoning and Unity Tilt Scale Against Atiku*

Turning to Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sani argued that the North is unlikely to back another Northern presidential candidate so soon after Buhari’s eight years in office. He stressed that the zoning principle — designed to maintain national cohesion — is widely supported across Nigeria, especially by southern leaders.

**“The politics of zoning does not favour Atiku precisely because all southerners and most northerners favour the idea of zoning in the interest of unity and stability of the country,”** Sani said.

Even hypothetical coalition scenarios involving Atiku pairing with Peter Obi or former minister Rotimi Amaechi, he said, would not sway the electorate. Nigerians, according to Sani, are unconvinced that the opposition has presented any credible alternatives.

### *Opposition Coalition Lacks Clear Policy Agenda*

Sani did not hold back in his critique of the opposition’s performance and future prospects. He claimed that despite the inclusion of “imminent Nigerians,” the emerging coalition lacks a defined ideological or policy difference from the current government.

**“The opposition has not told the nation what it will do differently from what the Tinubu administration is doing,”** he declared.

He referenced the 2023 campaign trail, where major contenders — Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi — all endorsed the removal of fuel subsidies. This, he said, gave voters little room to differentiate the candidates on core economic issues.

**“These suggest Nigerians were not swayed by the subsidy debate,”** Sani added, referencing the close vote margins among the three.

### *Southern Realignment and Northern Loyalty*

Sani also observed a subtle political shift in the South-South and parts of the South-East toward the APC. This, he claimed, is further consolidating the ruling party’s grip across regions previously considered less favorable.

**“The South-South and part of South-East are moving to APC,”** he noted, suggesting a strategic realignment that could tip the scales in 2027.

### *El-Rufai and Kwankwaso: 2027’s Possible Influencers*

Sani weighed in on key political figures who may play decisive roles in 2027. On former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, he described him as an intelligent technocrat with limited grassroots political appeal.

**“Former Governor El-Rufai is a very intelligent technocrat but not a street politician as such,”** he assessed.

In contrast, Sani praised Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for his grassroots influence, particularly in Kano State. He predicted a possible defection to the APC by Kwankwaso, suggesting that such a move could significantly enhance the party’s northern base.

**“Kwankwaso can deliver Kano State. And I foresee him defecting to APC and adding political value to himself,”** he said.

### *Conclusion: Tinubu Poised for Northern Backing*

Sani’s commentary paints a clear picture of the emerging political landscape: President Tinubu, buoyed by Buhari’s loyal base and a fragmented opposition, is currently best positioned to receive Northern backing in 2027. The North, according to Sani, is wary of untested promises, resistant to abandoning party loyalties, and aligned with zoning principles aimed at preserving national unity.

In this unfolding narrative, Peter Obi faces a mountain of mistrust, Atiku is cornered by zoning constraints, and the opposition is struggling to differentiate itself. Unless these dynamics change, Sani suggests that Tinubu may remain the North’s most viable and trusted option.

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