2027 Presidency: Northern leaders hunt for Tinubu’s replacement

Northern political leaders are reportedly facing a challenging decision regarding which candidate to back in the 2027 presidential election, TopNaija News reports.

Though they backed President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, however, several influential Northern leaders now feel their region has not reaped the expected benefits from Tinubu’s administration, particularly as economic issues persist and youth discontent grows.

With inflation, unemployment, and insecurity affecting much of the North, many feel the alliance with Tinubu has not delivered as anticipated. Economic struggles have disproportionately impacted the Northern population, leading to discontent among youths who were already vocal during movements such as #EndBadGovernance, which saw significant participation across the region.

Although the 2027 general election is still a few years away, Northern elders are reportedly taking a proactive stance in searching for credible candidates who could potentially challenge the present leadership.

“Some prominent politicians across the North-West have been meeting and discussing who might be capable of giving President Tinubu a formidable contest in the presidential race,” an anonymous source shared with Sunday Tribune.

Several aides to Northern governors have confirmed these discussions, noting that the 2027 election is a growing concern among high-profile Northern politicians, including their principals.

These politicians are reportedly weighing the implications of opposing President Tinubu after supporting his 2023 victory.

Another issue for Northern leaders is selecting a candidate who would gain broad acceptance in the North while considering possible opposition strategies, such as highlighting zoning and Southern interests.

“They [Northern leaders] believe the best approach is to back a prominent Southern politician,” a source explained, “yet they worry about finding someone from the South who could match President Tinubu in personality and financial strength.”

Though no official decisions have been reached, sources suggest a shortlist of candidates is forming, with potential running mates under consideration.

“A credible person from the North-West is likely to be chosen as the running mate,” one source noted, mentioning that Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor, and Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal are among the names being discussed.

“At this point, Northern politicians are still in search of a reputable candidate for 2027. Many, however, are unlikely to support the current administration again,” the source concluded.