2027: ‘Tinubu has record; Obi only representing South-East’ — Prof Otubanjo
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Professor Femi Otubanjo, a research professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), asserts that President Bola Tinubu possesses a stronger political record to leverage for the upcoming 2027 presidential election. He characterized the presidential campaign of Peter Obi, the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as primarily reflective of the interests of the South-East region.
Otubanjo made these comments during an interview with Arise News on Monday as he evaluated the prospects of leading candidates and the potential impact of governors in the 2027 election.
In his assessment, Otubanjo indicated that Tinubu’s extensive political experience provides a tangible record for voters to consider, whereas he believes Obi’s campaign has not articulated a sufficiently broad national appeal. “Tinubu has a record by which you can go. Since 1978, Tinubu has been a force in Nigerian politics. He has created political parties, assisted presidents in winning elections, and has introduced policies aimed at enhancing the economy,” he stated.
Regarding Obi, Otubanjo questioned the scope of his appeal: “What is Obi selling beyond the fact that he represents the aspiration of the South-East? That is all.” He acknowledged Obi’s strong representation of the South-East but emphasized the need for a national vision that resonates with all Nigerians: “He’s not presenting a case that would make Nigeria better. That’s what we need. And that’s what the people want to hear.”
Looking ahead at the broader political landscape for 2027, Otubanjo expressed confidence that the majority of governors aligned with Tinubu would contribute to his electoral success. He contended that governors are pivotal due to their influence over state and local government dynamics and their capacity to mobilize for elections. “Today, Tinubu has 31 governors behind him,” he remarked, noting his strong performance in various states even without gubernatorial support in the previous election.
However, he highlighted potential challenges in regions such as the South-East, Rivers, and Oyo, cautioning against grouping all governors into a single bloc. Otubanjo also anticipated victories for Tinubu in Kaduna and most states in the North-Central region, while acknowledging the inherently unpredictable nature of electoral outcomes. “Elections are not scientific,” he said. “It is something that you speculate about, considering past events and current circumstances.”
