Veteran northern politician and founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election in 2027, stating that no contender currently matches his political strength and support base.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the elder statesman said Tinubu enjoys the backing of key political structures, including his ministers and state governors, giving him a distinct advantage over potential rivals.
“In Nigeria today, Bola Tinubu is the president; he has his ministers and governors who are backing him,” Yakasai stated.
“Who else has what it takes to go into the contest with the kind of stamina and strength to compete successfully with him?”
He stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls most states, still commands influence even among governors from opposition parties. According to him, unless there is a dramatic shift in the political landscape, Tinubu remains the most favoured candidate.
“For now, the odds are in his favour. I have not seen anything that will prevent him from winning the next election,” he said.
“He hasn’t done anything against the North, and the North alone cannot determine who becomes president.”
Yakasai dismissed claims that the North has reached a consensus on the 2027 presidency, clarifying that opinions from groups like the Arewa Consultative Forum or Northern Elders Forum are often personal and do not reflect a collective regional stance.
“There is no official position yet. All sections of the North have not taken a stand on this,” he added.
He noted that internal crises within opposition parties are weakening their chances and clearing Tinubu’s path toward a second term.
Although Yakasai declined to assess President Tinubu’s performance in office, he called on political leaders to place national interest above personal ambitions.
“Our politicians should approach politics with ideology and vision. It should not just be about becoming ministers, governors, or presidents,” he said.
According to him, “Ethnic and religious politics have held us back for too long. It’s time we put Nigeria first.”
