Obi Can’t Penetrate Northern Nigeria Ahead of 2027, Opposition Coalition Doomed to Fail, Says Keyamo
As the build-up to the 2027 presidential election gathers momentum, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed the chances of opposition candidate Peter Obi making any significant political inroads in northern Nigeria.
Keyamo, who spoke during an interview on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains deeply rooted in the North through a strong network of political structures and state governors, which, he argued, gives President Bola Tinubu a significant edge ahead of the next general elections.
In a firm dismissal of ongoing efforts by the opposition to forge a united front, Keyamo said the emerging coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) banner — reportedly aiming to bring together former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi — lacks both political substance and demographic viability.
“They are going nowhere in terms of demography,” Keyamo said. “I like what is happening; they are putting us on our toes, and that will make us work harder, but the numbers are not looking good for them.”
The senior minister maintained that the coalition’s strategy of merging opposition heavyweights may have limited success. According to him, the idea of pairing Obi with Atiku in a joint presidential ticket — which he described as the coalition’s presumed plan — would effectively neutralize the advantages that helped Obi gain traction in the 2023 polls.
Keyamo outlined three key demographic factors he believes boosted Obi’s 2023 performance, claiming they would collapse in 2027 under a new political arrangement.
“First, in 2023, the other top candidates were Muslims, and Obi was the only Christian among the frontrunners, which gave him a bloc of Christian votes,” he said. “Second, the South-East felt marginalized and rallied around one of their own. Third, young Nigerians — the Obidients — gravitated toward him as the youngest and perceived most progressive candidate.”
According to Keyamo, a restructured ticket in which Obi plays a subordinate role — possibly as Atiku’s running mate — would undermine all three pillars of his 2023 support.
“If you put Peter Obi this time as vice president or even president under this new coalition, he cannot penetrate the North,” Keyamo added. “We have our structures in the North. We have governors and the grassroots machinery firmly in place.”
Keyamo’s comments come amid intensified political consultations and speculation as opposition figures seek to forge alliances capable of unseating the APC-led government in 2027.
Neither Atiku Abubakar nor Peter Obi has formally announced their candidacy for the next election. However, recent meetings and public statements suggest discussions are underway among opposition leaders to present a united front.
Meanwhile, the APC continues to consolidate its base, particularly in northern states where the party controls a majority of the governorships and legislative seats.
