There is still no strong contender against Tinubu yet for 2027—-Tanko Yakasai
Veteran politician and elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has stated that, as things stand, President Bola Tinubu faces no significant challenger ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In an interview granted to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Yakasai addressed speculation regarding northern support for a future candidate. He emphasized that no official decision has been taken by the region’s leadership.
“I haven’t heard anybody making any proposition about the 2027 presidential election from Arewa Consultative Forum,” he said.
“What is tagged the Arewa Consultative Forum or Northern Elders Forum’s position is mere individual opinions, because all sections of the north have not taken a stand on this.”
According to Yakasai, discussions surrounding a consensus northern candidate are currently premature, as there has been no collective meeting or endorsement from northern leaders.
Commenting on Tinubu’s political strength, he noted that the president remains a dominant figure in the Nigerian political space.
“In Nigeria today, Bola Tinubu is the president. He has his ministers and governors who are backing him,” he said.
“Who else has all what it takes to move into the contest with the kind of stamina and strength to be more successful comparatively with Tinubu?”
Yakasai added that even some governors from opposition parties are aligned with Tinubu, a factor he believes could influence the political landscape in 2027.
“We should all wait and see if the picture will change drastically, otherwise for now, the odds are in his (Tinubu’s) favour because I have not seen anything that will prevent him from winning the next election,” he added.
He dismissed concerns that Tinubu might be losing ground in the north.
“He hasn’t done anything against the north in my understanding and the north alone cannot decide who becomes the president of the country,” Yakasai said.
He also pointed to internal issues within opposition parties, saying their internal conflicts have weakened them and diminished their chances in the next general election.
Looking beyond electoral strategy, Yakasai called on politicians to prioritize ideology and national vision over personal ambition.
“Our politicians should see politics as a dynamic game and what I will advise is for them to play the game on the basis of ideology and programmes,” he said.
“Let them envision the way they want the country to be and not targeting to be ministers, governors and president.”
Yakasai also cautioned against the use of ethnic and religious politics, which he said has hindered Nigeria’s growth.
“After becoming all these and nothing is done in the interest of the country, we will not get better.”
“They should eschew politics of ethnicity and religion because not making our country the focal point of our politics has held us down for so long,” he said.
Nearing his 100th birthday this December, Yakasai attributed his longevity to both divine grace and family genes.
“My children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are more than 80 and still expanding. I give glory to God for these,” he said, adding that his father lived to 107 years, while his mother was close to 100.
