Datti: For Him To Say North Will Not Support Obi, He’s Entitled To It, But He Won’t Speak For North -Umeh

Senator Victor Umeh, a leading figure in the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has dismissed recent claims suggesting that northern Nigeria would reject a possible presidential alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Umeh responded to comments earlier made by Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed concerning the growing political conversations around opposition coalition talks and the prospects of a joint ticket involving Obi and Kwankwaso.

The senator argued that no individual politician has the authority to speak on behalf of the entire northern region, stressing that the North remains politically diverse with millions of voters holding different opinions and interests.

According to Umeh, Baba-Ahmed’s remarks should be viewed strictly as a personal position rather than a reflection of the collective political mood across northern Nigeria.

“For him to now say that the North will not support Peter Obi, I would like him to say that he will not support Peter Obi. He is entitled to it, but he will not speak for the entire North,” Umeh stated during the television interview.

The lawmaker maintained that democratic politics thrives on freedom of choice and individual expression, adding that political leaders must avoid broad generalisations capable of creating false impressions about the intentions of voters in any region of the country.

He further noted that the northern region, like every other part of Nigeria, consists of people with varying political loyalties, ideologies, and electoral priorities.

According to him, reducing such a vast and complex electorate to a single political viewpoint undermines the democratic process and ignores the reality of Nigeria’s multiparty political landscape.

Umeh’s comments come amid increasing discussions over possible opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with several political stakeholders speculating about alliances that could reshape the country’s political dynamics. The possibility of cooperation between Obi and Kwankwaso has continued to attract public debate, particularly among supporters seeking a stronger opposition platform capable of challenging established political structures…….See More