“We beat you in 2023, we’ll do so again” – Presidency replies Atiku on 2027 claim

The Presidency has dismissed remarks by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar suggesting that President Bola Tinubu would struggle in a potential 2027 election against a united opposition candidate.

Atiku, in a recent interview on Arise TV, argued that a coalition-backed contender could place the President at a disadvantage, saying the current administration has lost public confidence due to its policies and performance. He framed a possible opposition alliance as a stronger political force than the bloc that challenged the ruling party in 2015.

Responding, presidential aide Daniel Bwala said such claims overlook the realities that shaped the 2023 election outcome. He noted that despite Atiku’s backing from governors, state structures, and established political networks during that race, he was still defeated.

Bwala argued that those same political structures now align with President Tinubu, making claims of an easy opposition victory unrealistic. He maintained that the strength of party machinery and electoral organisation remains central in determining outcomes.

He further described the confidence in a coalition victory as misplaced, insisting that opposition figures are underestimating the current balance of political support.

Atiku has repeatedly stated that 2027 will be his final attempt to secure the presidency and has advocated for a broad opposition coalition as the most viable path to challenging the APC-led government.