Northerners Won’t Vote for Peter Obi to Import Alcohol, Says APC Chieftain

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alwan Hassan, has strongly dismissed the prospects of Peter Obi winning the 2027 presidential election, particularly in Northern Nigeria, citing cultural and religious values that he says are incompatible with Obi’s business track record. Hassan, speaking during a political discussion on Channels Television, asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the most formidable political figure ahead of the next election and will not be defeated. “The President has never lost an election, either as a senator or as a governor. And he will never lose an election,” he declared confidently. He went on to say that, based on current realities and political structures on the ground, no other candidate, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, poses a serious threat to President Tinubu’s second-term ambition. “Who else do you think will defeat Asiwaju in 2027? Who? Peter Obi?” Hassan asked rhetorically. He recalled an earlier appearance by Obi on the same programme, where the former Anambra governor reportedly called for support from the North. In a scathing critique, Hassan referenced Obi’s involvement in the alcohol industry, claiming such a background is fundamentally at odds with the values of Northern Nigeria. “He was on your programme saying he wants the North to support him and trust him. In the same programme, he’s celebrating building breweries in a number of states and being the biggest importer of alcohol. And he wants the North to vote for him?” The APC chieftain suggested that such associations would alienate many Northern voters, where alcohol consumption is widely frowned upon due to religious and cultural beliefs. “Or vote for a president that will import alcohol in the North? It’s not going to happen,” he added. Hassan didn’t stop there. He launched further criticisms directed at unnamed political figures, taking aim at perceived weaknesses in their domestic roles. “We cannot hand over this country to people — to men — that are being fed by their wives,” he said, alluding to politicians whose spouses are the primary breadwinners in their households. While he did not directly name anyone, the comments appeared targeted at candidates who have publicly acknowledged the financial success of their wives. “Somebody was here and said his wife is an entrepreneur and she’s in charge. But we want a man that is a man of his house. We want a man that is in charge of his house. We don’t want a man that a woman is feeding,” he asserted. When questioned whether he was rejecting the idea of a successful wife, Hassan clarified: “No, no, no. We will not hand over a country to a man that is being fed by his wife. That’s what I’m saying.” His comments have sparked debates online, with some critics describing them as misogynistic and outdated, while supporters see them as a reflection of conservative values held by many in the Northern region. Peter Obi, who has not yet declared his candidacy for 2027, remains a popular figure among many Nigerian youths and urban voters following his strong third-place finish in the 2023 general election. However, analysts say he faces significant challenges in consolidating national support, particularly in the North, where the political terrain is heavily influenced by regional sentiment, religion, and long-established political alliances. As Nigeria moves closer to the next election cycle, the political rhetoric is intensifying, with early signs pointing to a highly competitive and potentially polarising contest.