The Kwankwasiyya political movement has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claims about his political standing in the North, asserting that of the major opposition figures being discussed in the context of the 2027 presidential race, only Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso could genuinely claim to enjoy organic nationwide followership independent of party machinery or elite consensus.
Kwankwasiyya spokesperson Hon. Habib Mailemo, speaking on a television programme, drew a sharp distinction between the nature of support enjoyed by Atiku on one hand, and that commanded by Obi and Kwankwaso on the other. He argued that Atiku’s electoral strength had historically been anchored on the backing of PDP governors and established party structures rather than on personal appeal rooted in public conviction.
“It is only Peter Obi and my principal, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who have organic followers that are not induced by anything. Their aspirations align with the belief in their competence and proven track records, and the masses identify with them,” Mailemo said.
He acknowledged Atiku’s long presence in Nigeria’s political landscape but maintained that the votes he had secured in previous contests could not be wholly attributed to personal popularity, given the broad institutional support and elite alignment he had benefited from within the PDP.
In contrast, Mailemo argued that both Obi and Kwankwaso had built their electoral momentum independently, becoming synonymous with the parties they joined largely because of their individual appeal rather than inherited party structures. He suggested that a fair assessment of Atiku’s personal pull would require him to have achieved similar results under comparable conditions, without the backing of an established party machine.
Drawing on historical precedent, the spokesperson referenced the emergence of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to illustrate how strong party structures could deliver electoral victory regardless of individual popularity, arguing that Atiku’s past performances reflected similar dynamics.
On the broader question of coalition building within the opposition, Mailemo said Kwankwaso’s involvement in coalition discussions was driven solely by a genuine desire to contribute to Nigeria’s rescue and recovery, and stressed that honest internal evaluation among the opposition’s key figures was the only credible path to presenting a viable alternative to the ruling government.
“The expectation is that key figures within the coalition, including Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso, should come together, understand themselves, and conduct a proper analysis of their strengths. That is the only way they can arrive at a credible position to challenge the ruling government and offer Nigerians a viable alternative,” he said.
