As the political tempo accelerates ahead of the 2027 presidential election, intense maneuvering among power players has begun to reshape the national landscape.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a perennial contender, finds himself navigating uncertain waters amid shifting alliances and strategic endorsements that threaten his influence.
In a move that has raised both speculation and suspicion, Atiku recently held a closed-door meeting with former President Muhammadu Buhari.
While the details of the discussion remain undisclosed, the optics of two former rivals suddenly converging have fueled rumors of a fragile political realignment rooted more in desperation than strategy.
Yet Atiku’s efforts to solidify his footing appear to have hit a significant roadblock.
In a development that has sent ripples through Atiku’s camp, former military president General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) has publicly thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s potential bid for re-election in 2027.
The endorsement is a calculated blow to Atiku’s aspirations, underscoring growing discontent within the old political guard toward his repeated attempts at power.
According to BusinessDay, Babangida praised Tinubu’s political resilience and described him as a master tactician capable of steering the nation through its current economic and political storms.
Speaking from Minna, Niger State, the elder statesman lauded Tinubu’s capacity to withstand pressure and turn adversity into strength, an implicit contrast to Atiku’s repeated but unsuccessful bids for the presidency.
“Tinubu has demonstrated a unique capacity for political survival,” Babangida noted.
“Despite immense challenges and widespread criticism, he continues to move forward. Nigerians will reward that kind of strength.”
He acknowledged the economic difficulties facing the nation under Tinubu’s reforms but emphasized the importance of patience and long-term vision, insisting that history has shown tough decisions often yield positive outcomes.
“I have seen governments make painful but necessary decisions. This is no different. If patience is managed effectively, the people will see results,” Babangida added.
For Atiku, who has struggled to unite his base and fend off internal fractures within the opposition, the endorsement of Tinubu by a figure as iconic and strategic as Babangida signals a deepening crisis.
Rather than consolidating power, Atiku now faces a growing perception that his political relevance is diminishing in the eyes of key northern powerbrokers.
As 2027 approaches, it is becoming increasingly clear: Atiku may be running out of allies—and time.
Credit: Capital except headline
