The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, has delivered a blunt assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that President Bola Tinubu has lost considerable goodwill across Northern Nigeria while none of the leading opposition figures has yet emerged as a compelling alternative.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s PrimeTime programme, Mohammed-Baba said growing economic hardship, persistent insecurity and widespread voter disillusionment were reshaping political calculations across the region.
His remarks come amid increasing political manoeuvring ahead of the next presidential election, with opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso already featuring prominently in discussions about potential coalitions and electoral alliances.
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According to the ACF spokesman, the average northern voter has become frustrated with politics centred around personalities rather than policies.
“I have not seen a party that articulates a clear policy ambition or an ideological standard. The average northern voter is disillusioned and has been for a long time,” he said.
Mohammed-Baba argued that Nigerians have repeatedly experimented with different political formulas without seeing meaningful improvements in governance.
“We have tried all kinds of permutations—northern candidates, Muslim-Muslim tickets and so on. It seems to the average northerner that all this politics is about personalities and personal interests.”
On President Tinubu’s administration, he said many northerners who supported the ruling APC in 2023 were disappointed by the impact of government policies on daily life.
He pointed particularly to rising living costs, fuel price pressures and worsening insecurity in several communities.
Turning to the opposition, Mohammed-Baba questioned whether any of the leading presidential hopefuls had sufficiently articulated solutions to Nigeria’s problems.
ACF Secretary described Atiku Abubakar as a familiar political figure who has yet to present a convincing alternative agenda and questioned Peter Obi’s political trajectory following multiple party movements.
He also criticised Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying voters would demand practical solutions rather than symbolic political messaging.
Asked to identify a candidate capable of commanding northern support, Mohammed-Baba declined to endorse anyone.
“We are waiting to see,” he said.
ACF Secretary warned the APC against complacency and argued that the North should not be treated as a monolithic voting bloc.
According to him, insecurity, inflation, unemployment and education challenges will heavily influence voter behaviour ahead of the 2027 election.
“Is there anybody offering an alternative now?” he asked. “I don’t see anything.”
