A senior official of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the 2027 Nigerian presidential election will be a direct contest between incumbent President Bola Tinubu and former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview with News Central Television, Segun Showunmi, a PDP chieftain, outlined his assessment of the upcoming race. “In terms of who can lead the country, it is between Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, and one will obviously beat the other,” Showunmi said. He added that the contest is already taking shape around the two politicians.
Showunmi, who served as Atiku’s spokesperson for two consecutive terms, said he has a unique insight into the former vice‑president’s thinking. “I am listening carefully to the candidates and eagerly awaiting their solutions,” he explained. “Because I was his spokesperson, I know aspects of his mind and heart that he has not disclosed publicly.”
The PDP official also reflected on the broader political landscape since 2019, noting “quiet restructuring and recalibration” of the country’s governance. He contrasted this with his perception of the opposition’s third‑largest party. “In the case of Peter Obi, I see absolutely zero. I have never heard him speak on security or on social stabilization of the country,” Showunmi said, emphasizing the lack of policy statements from the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
The remarks come as political parties ramp up preparations for the 2027 election, slated for February 2027. The incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) has not yet announced a formal candidate, but President Tinubu is widely expected to seek re‑election. Atiku Abubakar, who ran for president in 2019 and 2023, has signaled his intent to contest again, positioning himself as the main challenger to the incumbent.
Analysts note that the PDP’s focus on a two‑person race underscores the party’s strategic calculation that a direct Tinubu‑Atiku showdown will dominate voter attention. The absence of substantive commentary from Peter Obi, who garnered significant support in the 2023 election, could influence how the Labour Party’s base votes in the next cycle.
Showunmi’s interview highlights internal PDP confidence in Atiku’s candidacy, while also pointing to perceived gaps in the opposition’s policy offerings. As parties finalize their platforms and campaign structures, the emerging narrative suggests a closely contested election centered on the incumbent’s record and his principal rival’s promise of change.
The statements are likely to shape party messaging in the months ahead, with both Tinubu and Atiku expected to intensify outreach to secure broad-based support before Nigeria heads to the polls in early 2027.
