Tinubu's Challenges, Atiku's Chance: What Lies Ahead for 2027

Elections are not won based on feelings but on facts. Political candidates campaign by telling people what they can offer. Those in power highlight their achievements in leadership as their main campaign tool. The opposition criticizes what the current government has done wrong and what they have not provided for the people.

This is called constructive campaigning. President Tinubu's recent campaign kickoff in Kaduna shows how he has failed to deliver good governance to Nigerians.

I expected the president to focus on three or four areas where the North is lacking under his government. Instead, we see nepotism, where his relatives are in charge of key government positions while treating Nigerians unequally. I hoped to see President Tinubu make changes to the nepotism seen during Buhari's time, but things are getting worse. The North is facing its worst nepotistic government since independence.

The president should ask himself if the North has recovered from the kidnapping crisis he inherited from Buhari. Are farmers with good land able to go to their farms and produce food? The answer is a clear ‘No’ because of insecurity in the North.

In Kaduna, a family was kidnapped and almost killed before they were rescued. We don’t know if a ransom was paid, but the Kaduna State government said they were rescued. Governor Uba Sani was even seen thanking the National Security Adviser for the rescue. This is the state of the North under President Tinubu.

The second major issue is economic instability. No one can believe there is economic improvement when people struggle to eat three meals a day and are switching from cars to electric bikes.

Atiku has won many hearts by promising to bring back the fuel subsidy. The removal of this subsidy has hurt many people. I have seen hunger and poverty at their worst since 1999 when democracy returned.

Tinubu shows no regret for the country's struggles and blames the opposition. This has angered many Nigerians.

What people want now is a leader who can provide security, lift them out of poverty, restore the fuel subsidy, and create job opportunities.

Children cannot go to school because their parents cannot afford it. Daily wages and low salaries cannot meet their needs.

If you campaign for Tinubu, you risk losing popularity. Many politicians pushing for Tinubu seem indifferent to the North's issues. They care more about their own interests than the people's. This is very unpatriotic.

It’s disappointing that when Tinubu chose his campaign director, he picked Senator Yari, who has a poor record in governance. His focus seems to be on handing out money rather than real change. There are also rumors that his wealth is linked to his time as governor, and he left office as one of Nigeria’s richest men.

When TV host Rufai Oseni asked him about his record as Zamfara’s governor and the high poverty rate, he avoided giving a direct answer.

Nigerians are hurting and will likely vote for Waziri Atiku Abubakar. They want to give him a chance because of his good plans for the country. He served as vice president with dedication and is one of the most capable vice presidents we have had, unlike Kashim Shettima, who seems to only praise his boss.

Atiku will win for these reasons. It’s the people who vote, not the elites who make noise on social media. Elections are won at polling units, not online.

People will collect money and still vote for the right candidate.

I won’t mention other presidential candidates because many seem to support the return of the president, especially the NDC. I trust Seyi Makinde of APM to be a more serious opposition candidate than Peter Obi of the NDC and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who have focused more on criticizing Atiku than addressing Tinubu’s impact on Nigerians.