Tinubu Risks Losing 2027 Election Like Jonathan, Northern Elder Warns

A Northern elder and public affairs commentator, Alhaji Dabo Sambo, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the escalating insecurity and banditry in the North, warning that failure to do so could significantly diminish his chances of re-election in 2027.

Speaking to reporters, Sambo identified security as the nation’s most pressing challenge, with lives and property constantly under threat. He emphasized that ensuring the safety of citizens is one of the government’s fundamental responsibilities and cautioned that any shortcomings in this regard could have severe political repercussions for Tinubu.

“If President Tinubu refuses to eliminate security challenges, he will definitely not win the 2027 election,” Sambo warned, drawing parallels with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in 2015, which he attributed to unchecked insecurity.

“The era of distributing carton noodles and salt during campaigns is over,” he stated. “People want security and food. Without these, they will not vote.”

Sambo highlighted that the North-West and North-East regions, responsible for over 60% of Nigeria’s food production, are currently plagued by banditry and kidnappings. He pointed out that terrorism has forced farmers to abandon their fields, leading to a decline in food output, soaring prices, and increased famine.

“Food is scarce in Nigeria, and people are hungry,” Sambo said, linking the deepening food crisis to insecurity in the North-East and North-West, which are critical to the country’s agricultural output.

He also discussed the broader economic consequences of insecurity, including the depreciation of the Naira, rising transport costs, and inflation, all of which are eroding the savings of ordinary citizens.

Sambo asserted that Tinubu must take decisive action within six months to address the security situation and revive local farming within a year. He warned that failing to do so could lead to a fate similar to that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost his re-election bid in 2015 largely due to similar issues.