Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
As political alignments take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, elder statesman and founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, has cautioned that the North alone cannot determine the next president of Nigeria.
Yakassai’s remarks come amid increasing momentum behind an anti-Tinubu coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Atiku had on March 20, 2025, unveiled a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next election cycle. The coalition is reportedly being driven by Northern political heavyweights including Atiku, former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai, and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.
Speaking to Truth Live News and other reputable media houses, Yakassai said:
“The presidential election is a national affair. The North alone cannot determine who becomes president; the South alone cannot make it either. Both must come together with a formidable candidate. And by formidable, I mean someone with not just popularity, but also financial clout — because elections in Nigeria are capital-intensive. You can’t rely on external sponsors.”
While acknowledging the numerical advantage of the North, Yakassai stressed that popular support and national acceptability are non-negotiable for any serious presidential contender.
“The North will play an important role due to its numbers, but other factors like stakeholder support and broad acceptability are crucial,” he added.
His comments follow recent declarations by Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed — former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Tinubu — who asserted that the North would soon determine its political stance, stressing that no one could become president without Northern backing.
However, ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Mohammed Baba, dismissed Baba-Ahmed’s comments as personal opinion.
“ACF has no control over such outcomes. Nigeria’s constitution requires a pan-regional spread of votes. No candidate can win solely on regional support,” Prof. Baba said.
“Ultimately, it is the Nigerian voter, if allowed to vote freely and fairly, that will determine the outcome.”
Despite skepticism surrounding the Atiku-led coalition, some stakeholders insist it remains a largely Northern affair. This perception has triggered a strategic shift in President Tinubu’s political playbook.
Sources within the APC confirmed that the President has intensified efforts to consolidate his influence in the South-South and South-East. Recent defections, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, from the PDP to APC, underscore this push.
“There’s a belief that the North may not be fully aligned with the President. That’s why he’s aggressively building his base in the South,” a source said.
President Tinubu has also made overtures to Northern leaders, including a high-profile visit to Katsina State to meet with troops and key stakeholders. Yet, some insiders say the Presidency is wary of possible anti-party actions from Northern APC governors despite the party controlling 15 states in the region.
“The North cannot be trusted on this. While APC controls most states in the North, we can’t ignore the pull of the so-called Northern agenda,” another insider noted.
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr. Umar Ardo offered a measured assessment of Tinubu’s presidency.
“I won’t say he has failed, but he hasn’t met expectations. We haven’t seen a significant shift in policies or implementation,” Ardo said, adding that it’s too early to determine whether Tinubu should seek a second term.
As 2027 approaches, the political terrain remains fluid. While regional alliances are inevitable, voices like Yakassai’s serve as a reminder that only broad-based coalitions, not sectional strategies, can succeed in Nigeria’s diverse political landscape.