Abayomi Arabambi, the factional National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the Labour Party, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains one of the strongest political figures capable of posing a serious challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Arabambi argued that the increasing number of presidential hopefuls from Southern Nigeria could divide votes across the region, creating an advantage for Atiku. According to him, if several influential southern politicians contest the presidency, it would be difficult for any single candidate to secure overwhelming support from southern voters.
He identified President Bola Tinubu, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, Adewole Adebayo, Omoyele Sowore, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as prominent southern politicians who could attract significant electoral support. Arabambi maintained that such a crowded field could weaken the South’s voting strength by splitting support among multiple candidates.
He further argued that Atiku could benefit from this situation because of his expected political influence across the northern region. According to Arabambi, the former vice president remains a formidable force in the 19 northern states, and he questioned whether any southern candidate would be able to match that level of support if the region failed to unite behind a single presidential aspirant.
Arabambi also highlighted the role of key political figures in shaping the outcome of the election. He noted that several governors are already aligned with President Tinubu, while Governor Seyi Makinde could significantly influence voting patterns in Oyo State and the South-West, making the contest even more competitive.
Beyond electoral calculations, Arabambi cautioned against allowing presidential elections to be determined mainly by regional population strength. He warned that such a trend could create an unhealthy political precedent and negatively affect Nigeria’s long-term political balance and national unity. He urged political leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to carefully consider the implications as preparations for the 2027 election continue.
In his words, “With Obi trying to split votes in the South with Tinubu, Makinde might spoil their votes in Oyo Axis, who is going to really give Atiku a fair fight in those 19 northern states?…..See More
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