The National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, says President Bola Tinubu has lost a lot of political support in the North since 2023. He warned that neither former Vice President Atiku Abubakar nor Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, is a credible option for the region as the 2027 presidential election approaches.
Mohammed-Baba made these comments on Monday during an interview on PrimeTime on Arise Television. He also criticized Nigeria’s political leaders, saying they lack ideas and are mostly driven by personal interests.
He mentioned that the political elite, across different parties, have not tackled issues like insecurity and the economic problems Nigeria is facing.
“I have not seen a party that articulates a clear policy ambition or an ideological standard. The average northern voter is disillusioned and has been for a long time,” he said.
He pointed out that northern voters have experienced many political strategies, such as northern candidates and Muslim-Muslim tickets. He said it seems like politics is more about personal interests than about the people.
On Tinubu, whose 2023 election victory had support from northern voters, he expressed disappointment in the impact of his policies.
“The impact of his policies on the economy and especially on individual lives has been highly disappointing, if not disturbing.
“Furthermore, the insecurity thing, no matter what the government says, is getting worse. Over a year ago, we talked about the ‘Forest Guards.’ It is only recently, with the event in Oyo and in Borno States, that they are talking of deploying 1,000 forest guards in some of the states but researchers have shown that there are over 30,000 terrorists operating in our ungoverned spaces,” he said.
He also mentioned insecurity in parts of the North and said some communities have had to leave their farms due to bandit threats.
“We are gradually normalising self-help, that unless you do something, the government will not be there to protect you. That undermines the essence of the role of the state,” he stated.
Speaking about Atiku Abubakar, Mohammed-Baba called him a “recurring decimal,” saying he has not put forward a clear alternative policy despite his many attempts for the presidency.
“I don’t see anything from him that presents an alternative apart from saying this government has failed,” he said. “Where is the beef?”
On Peter Obi, he said the former governor of Anambra State has lost the goodwill he once had in the North due to his frequent party changes.
“He has moved to two or three parties. The question we ask is: what does he want?” he asked.
He also criticized remarks made by Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying using references to northern historical figures in political talks is not appropriate.
“In the North, that is very irreverent. It would be highly delusional for him to go that far and say he presents an alternative.
“An alternative in terms of what? Has he articulated anything on the economy, security, or anything on infrastructure? When you keep talking about things in abstract terms that run counter-intuitive to what the people have held on to, you will run into trouble,” he said.
When asked to name a presidential candidate who could gain northern support, Mohammed-Baba did not name anyone.
“We are waiting to see,” he said.
He also warned against complacency within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), advising that political strength should not be taken for granted.
“Nothing fails like success,” he said. “Be very careful, because sometimes complacency can spring surprises.”
Mohammed-Baba further explained that the North is not a single voting block, highlighting its diversity and different political interests.
He noted that rising fuel prices, insecurity, and the increasing number of out-of-school children will influence voter behavior in 2027.
“Is there anybody offering an alternative now?” he asked. “I don’t see anything.”
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