2027: FG Fires Back at Obi, Kwankwaso Over Tinubu Defeat prediction

The Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have rejected claims by Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could lose the 2027 election. The government and ruling party said on Thursday that they remained confident of retaining the presidency and winning other major contests.

Defence Minister Christopher Musa made the government’s position known during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. He also predicted that the APC would retain Kaduna State in the 2027 governorship election and win the presidential contest as well as other elective positions in the state.

Musa was responding to arguments that dissatisfaction with the APC and Tinubu could cost the ruling party votes in the North. He dismissed the suggestion as a matter of individual perception and maintained that the party remained strongly positioned in the region.

The minister also defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, saying some of the decisions taken by the President had been difficult for Nigerians but would produce results gradually.

He argued that the effects of the government’s policies should be judged over time, expressing confidence that Nigerians would eventually understand the reasons behind some of the decisions.

Musa also rejected the possibility of the APC losing Kaduna State in 2027. He said the party was expected to retain the state and secure victories across the presidential, governorship and other elections.

His comments came shortly after Obi and Kwankwaso addressed supporters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they spoke about protecting votes and preventing alleged manipulation during the 2027 elections.

Obi, who is contesting the presidency under the NDC, urged Nigerians not to be intimidated at polling units. He said voters should work together to ensure their choices are properly recorded and that results are transmitted without interference.

The former Anambra State governor also expressed concern about possible problems with the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV. He called for better communication and backup arrangements to prevent network failures from affecting the electronic transmission of results.

Obi said the number of voters at many polling units would make it difficult for a small number of officials to intimidate citizens if voters remained united and determined to protect their votes.

He further referred to the 2023 presidential election, in which he finished third behind Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Tinubu won the election with 8,794,726 votes, while Atiku received 6,984,520 and Obi polled 6,101,533.

Tinubu also secured at least 25 per cent of the votes in 30 states, meeting the constitutional requirement for victory.

Obi has continued to dispute aspects of the 2023 election and has maintained that he won in Rivers State and nationally. He argued that attempts to manipulate the 2027 election would face stronger resistance from voters.

Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, also urged Nigerians to carefully consider their choice of leadership in 2027. He argued that the country needed an experienced and capable president who could respond effectively to its economic and security challenges.

The former Kano State governor also pointed to the 2015 election, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid despite being in office and leading a ruling party with substantial political strength.

Kwankwaso used the example to argue that having a large number of state governors does not automatically guarantee victory in a presidential election.

He also criticised the performance of some northern governors and claimed that poor governance could make it difficult for some of them to campaign effectively ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, the NDC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, thanked party supporters for their commitment during the town hall meeting. He said the party remained focused on building a country that works and encouraged supporters to remain courageous.

The APC, however, dismissed the confidence expressed by Obi and Kwankwaso as unrealistic. Its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the opposition candidates should consider Nigeria’s political history before making predictions about the 2027 election.

Basiru pointed to Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election as President under the APC as evidence that an incumbent and his party could successfully retain power. He also questioned the electoral strength of the NDC, noting that the party did not have governorship candidates in several states and lacked National Assembly candidates in many constituencies.

He said the APC remained confident that Nigerians would support Tinubu for another term.

In Rivers State, the ADC also rejected a prediction by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that the opposition parties would lose the state and Abuja in 2027.

The ADC’s Rivers State Publicity Secretary, Chizi Enyi, accused Wike of making political claims aimed at pleasing the President. He said the party was not concerned by the minister’s prediction and remained confident in the strength of its candidates and campaign efforts.

Enyi also accused Wike of having a history of political intimidation and violence, allegations the minister and his supporters have previously disputed.

The ADC spokesman said the party was focused on campaigning and reaching voters across Rivers State. He expressed confidence that the party’s presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi could secure victory in the state and play a major role nationally.

The competing positions show that political parties are already preparing for an intense 2027 presidential contest, with the APC defending the Tinubu administration’s record while opposition parties seek to build support around their candidates.