2027: Meet the Front-Runners Ready to Take on Tinubu

As the political landscape in Nigeria heats up for the general election in 2027, focus is shifting to possible opponents who might unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is running for a second term. A number of seasoned politicians are reportedly putting themselves in the running for office due to the general public’s concern over governance and economic hardship.

The Nigerian’s analysis of seven notable individuals who might pose a significant threat is provided below:

Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku Abubakar, a well-known figure in Nigerian presidential politics, has run for president several times without winning. Atiku’s second-place result in the 2023 election may be complicated by internal PDP disagreements and calls for a southern power rotation.

Well done, Jonathan.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoyed a rise in popularity after he left office in 2015. The PDP reportedly pushed him to run for president again in 2027. Though Jonathan has not disclosed his plans, political analysts think he might win over the north.

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Kwankwaso Rabiu Musa
The Kwankwasiyya movement’s leader and former Kano State governor is still well-known, especially in the north. He finished in a far-off fourth place during his 2023 campaign with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). It is unknown what his next political move will be.

Saraki Bukola.
After serving two terms as governor of Kwara State and as president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics. He has not yet indicated any definite aspirations for 2027, despite finishing third in the PDP’s 2022 presidential primaries.

Peter Obio
With his outstanding success under the Labour Party, garnering more than 6 million votes, the former governor of Anambra State changed the political landscape of Nigeria in 2023. Although Obi still has the backing of young people, observers are keeping an eye on him to see if he can maintain this momentum for another run.

The Nasir El-Rufai
In opposition circles, El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, is still a powerful voice. He hasn’t declared his intention to run for president, but some think he might run for vice president or serve as a kingmaker in an opposition alliance.

The Amaechi Rotimi
Amaechi is viewed as a possible candidate due to his years of political experience as the former minister of transportation and governor of Rivers State. His next move is eagerly anticipated by onlookers.

Nigeria’s political environment is expected to see fierce alliances, conflicts, and maneuvering as the 2027 countdown draws near. It is unclear if President Tinubu will be able to overcome these obstacles or if a strong opponent will surface.