At least one prominent figure from the North has shown interest in backing Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential election, as discussions around political alliances and regional interests continue to grow.
Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that he is open to supporting Obi if he emerges as the preferred candidate of the planned opposition coalition.
Lamido made it clear that his loyalty to the PDP remains intact but stressed the need for competence and vision over ethnic or regional sentiments.
He explained that leadership should not be based on zoning or rotation but on who can move Nigeria forward.
He added that zoning, originally introduced by the PDP to restore trust after the annulment of the June 12 election, has now become a burden.
Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) said the North may have no better option than to support Peter Obi, especially with his pledge to serve only one term if elected.
The MBF pointed to Obi’s record of keeping promises as a reason for the possible support, even suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan could be another viable option if allowed to contest under the law, which would also restrict him to one term.
Ibrahim Nakande, a former Minister of Information, dismissed Obi’s one-term pledge as mere politics.
He acknowledged that Obi had support across Nigeria, including the North, but questioned whether such a promise could be trusted or accepted by his own region.
Elder statesman Tanko Yakasai offered a different angle, saying that if Nigerians want power to return to the North, President Tinubu would be the best person to hand it over after 2027, given that the constitution only allows him two terms.
Yakasai argued that Tinubu is better positioned to complete his time in office and pass the baton according to the law.
Leave a Reply