Dr. Bashir Lamido, the Pioneer Leader of Arewa Summit International, has firmly rejected any speculation of President Bola Tinubu losing his re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking to reporters at the Abuja Expo and Ruhe Global Resources International Education Fair on Wednesday, Lamido emphasised that the robust backing from influential political figures across the nation would make a defeat for Tinubu virtually impossible.
Lamido named a powerful coalition of political heavyweights backing the president, including former Governors Abdul’aziz Yari, Orji Kalu, Abdullahi Ganduje, and James Ibori.
He asserted that their support would neutralise any opposition, ensuring a commanding victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
With a sharp focus on the opposition’s unity, Lamido expressed skepticism about their ability to form a cohesive and united front ahead of the 2027 election.
He suggested that, in contrast to the APC’s solid alliances, the opposition coalition would face significant challenges in presenting a unified alternative to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
According to Lamido, “When you talk of the possibility of the coalition wrestling power from the ruling party, I think you should also ask yourself a pertinent question, can they agree together? The major opposition platforms, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), are seriously entangled in intense internal wrangling. Does the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have the prospects to lead coalition ahead of 2027?.
“Who will fly the ticket? Is it Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi ? Is it Nasir El-rufai or Yemi Osinbajo? Is it Rotimi Amaechi or Bukola Saraki?” Lamido asked, adding that all of them have presidential ambitions and are not ready to relinquish their interest for another.
“But you see, Tinubu is very smart and strategic. At a time, people were thinking that Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief James Ibori were going to join opposition and work together to unseat the president. I learnt that Nasir El-Rufai tried all he could to sow discord between the president and Abdullahi Ganduje by sending him to Saudi Arabia on ambassadorial duty.
“Today, the President has closed ranks with them and they are his very reliable allies. The four of them are presidential materials but have already endorsed the president. The president cannot lose when he has men like them.
“The coalition is yet to take a stand, meanwhile the president’s men are already watering the ground. Yari is engaged with heavy empowerment in the North, Kalu is doing same in the South and even extension to the North likewise others. A presidential source once mentioned they meet with the president regularly. So there is direction and purpose and events are being streamlined for victory.”
