North divided, Tinubu targets South-East and South-South for 2027 Re-election bid

With only 715 days left before the 2027 presidential election, political controversy is already heating up in Nigeria as aspirants and their allies are working hard behind the scenes, seeking alliances that will secure the votes they need to win.

Among the key players is President Bola Tinubu, whose re-election bid is garnering significant attention, particularly as he looks to navigate political divisions within the North while courting the South-East and South-South regions.

In mid-February, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stated that the North would support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, with an understanding that power would return to the North in 2031, in line with the North-South power rotation principle.

His comments were echoed by Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, who emphasized the North’s commitment to Tinubu’s presidency until 2031 to continue his development agenda.

However, these remarks have sparked mixed reactions within the North, where some leaders question the future political alignment, especially as Tinubu seeks to expand his base.

 Celebritynote suggest that the president is now focusing his efforts on winning the South-East and South-South, regions where he underperformed during the 2023 elections.

This regional outreach is vital, as it could bolster his chances in 2031, when he would be expected to step aside for a candidate from the North.

Tinubu’s road to re-election in 2027 appears, at least on paper, to be relatively clear.

His second term bid would only require him to secure a majority of votes and at least 25 percent of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 However, his performance in the 2023 election raises questions. Despite winning the presidency, Tinubu lost in key states such as Lagos, Osun, and the FCT, Abuja.

His inability to secure 25 percent of the vote in Abuja was one of the main grounds for his opponents challenging the results in court.