Veteran politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has declared that, as things stand, no one currently has a stronger chance of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
In a published interview yesterday in Abuja, Yakasai emphasised that Tinubu remains the most formidable candidate heading into the next election cycle, citing his current support network and control over state structures.
“I don’t see anyone at the moment with the kind of backing Tinubu has; his Ministers, governors, and party support make him the strongest contender”, he stated.
Yakasai, a senior figure in the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), also clarified that the northern political body has not yet endorsed any candidate for the 2027 race.
“To my knowledge, no official position has been taken by the ACF or the Northern Elders Forum regarding a candidate. Any such claims are simply personal opinions, not collective decisions”, he emphasised.
He advised Nigerians to be patient until the North holds a proper consultative meeting to determine its stance. However, he stressed that even with regional backing, the North alone cannot decide the presidency.
“In my view, Tinubu hasn’t acted against northern interests. Besides, the North cannot single-handedly determine who becomes president”, he noted.
Yakasai added that internal crises within major opposition parties have only strengthened Tinubu’s re-election prospects, further tilting the political balance in his favour.
While he refrained from giving a full assessment of Tinubu’s administration over the past two years, Yakasai urged Nigerian politicians to prioritise the welfare of citizens over personal ambition. “Politics should be driven by ideology and vision, not just a quest for power. Seeking office without a clear plan for national development leads us nowhere,” he stated.
He also warned against divisive politics based on ethnicity and religion, stressing that such practices have hindered Nigeria’s progress.
