ACF spokesman dismisses Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso ahead of 2027

The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, says President Bola Tinubu has lost significant political standing in the North since 2023, warning that neither former Vice President Atiku Abubakar nor Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, currently offers the region a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Mohammed-Baba made the remarks on Monday during an interview on PrimeTime on Arise Television, where he also described Nigeria’s political class as lacking ideas and driven largely by personal ambition.

He said the political elite, across parties, had failed to address insecurity and the economic challenges facing the country.

“I have not seen a party that articulates a clear policy ambition or an ideological standard. The average northern voter is disillusioned and has been for a long time.

“We have tried all kinds of permutations—northern candidates, Muslim-Muslim tickets, and so on. It seems to the average northerner that all this politics is about personalities and personal interests. It is not about people,” he said.

On Tinubu, whose 2023 election victory was partly supported by voters in the North, he said the impact of his policies had been disappointing.

“The impact of his policies on the economy and especially on individual lives has been highly disappointing, if not disturbing.

“Furthermore, the insecurity thing, no matter what the government says, is getting worse. Over a year ago, we talked about the ‘Forest Guards.’ It is only recently, with the event in Oyo and in Borno States, that they are talking of deploying 1,000 forest guards in some of the states but researchers have shown that there are over 30,000 terrorists operating in our ungoverned spaces,” he said.

He also cited insecurity in parts of the North, alleging that some communities had been forced to abandon farmlands due to bandit threats.

“We are gradually normalising self-help, that unless you do something, the government will not be there to protect you. That undermines the essence of the role of the state,” he said.

Speaking on Atiku Abubakar, Mohammed-Baba described him as a “recurring decimal”, saying he had not presented a clear alternative policy direction despite multiple presidential bids.

“I don’t see anything from him that presents an alternative apart from saying this government has failed,” he said. “Where is the beef?”

Turning to Peter Obi, he said the former Anambra State governor had lost goodwill previously enjoyed in the North due to frequent party defections.

“He has moved to two or three parties. The question we ask is: what does he want?” he said.

He also criticised remarks attributed to Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying references to northern historical figures in political messaging were inappropriate.

“In the North, that is very irreverent. It would be highly delusional for him to go that far and say he presents an alternative.

“An alternative in terms of what? Has he articulated anything on the economy, security, or anything on infrastructure? When you keep talking about things in abstract terms that run counter-intuitive to what the people have held on to, you will run into trouble,” he said.

When asked to name a presidential candidate capable of commanding northern support, Mohammed-Baba declined to do so.

“We are waiting to see,” he said.

He also cautioned against complacency within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that political dominance should not be taken for granted.

“Nothing fails like success,” he said. “Be very careful, because sometimes complacency can spring surprises.”

Mohammed-Baba further argued that the North should not be viewed as a monolithic voting bloc, noting its internal diversity and differing political interests.

According to him, rising fuel prices, insecurity, and the growing number of out-of-school children will shape voter behaviour in 2027.

“Is there anybody offering an alternative now?” he asked. “I don’t see anything.”