Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asserted that he commands more bloc votes in Northern Nigeria than several high-profile politicians expected to contest in the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Mr Abubakar compared his electoral influence with that of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, and Aminu Tambuwal, arguing that none of them has secured the level of support he has amassed over the years.
“I’m more popular than all of them,” he said. “Can you tell me among the current leaders in the North who has secured more votes than I have? You are talking of people like Tambuwal, Kwankwaso, and El-Rufai; none of them has garnered the kind of bloc votes that I have.”
The former vice-president further suggested that Mr Kwankwaso’s electoral strength is largely confined to Kano State, and even there, support is now divided between him and the incumbent governor, Abba Yusuf. “Kwankwaso only got votes from Kano, and we respect that, that is why he is a leader in the coalition. But even Kano itself is now split between him and his own governor,” he added.
Mr Abubakar also highlighted the significance of the emerging political coalition, describing it as a new direction for the country. He said the alliance brings together experienced politicians and younger actors under a unified platform, incorporating members from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Labour Party.
“What makes it different this time is that we now have a broad coalition, from APC, PDP, NNPP, and Labour. That has never happened before,” he said, adding that the alliance reflects what he described as a clear succession pattern ahead of 2027.
The remarks come amid growing speculation about the 2027 presidential race, with several northern politicians positioning themselves for potential candidacies. Mr Abubakar’s comments underscore his intent to remain a central figure in Nigeria’s political landscape and to leverage his established support base in the North as coalition talks intensify.
