Yabagi Sani Warns Atiku and Obi Not Serious Contenders in 2027 Race
Abuja, Nigeria—October 12, 2026—Hon. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), has delivered a blunt assessment of the emerging 2027 presidential race, declaring that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi are “not serious” and are “wasting their time” in the polls.
Speaking in a television interview that has since circulated widely on social media, the veteran politician stressed that opposition success will not come from simply opposing the incumbent. “I am not fighting Tinubu, nor saying we must get Tinubu out, no,” Sani stated.
“Let us present an opposition to Nigerians that will convince them that we have an alternative. It is not just somebody coming to say, ‘I want to be president’; you have to be competent. Show us that you have what it takes to become the president.”
Call for Competence Over Ambition
Sani’s remarks underscore a growing debate within opposition circles about the quality of challenges facing President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The ADP chairman, a former presidential candidate himself and one-time head of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), argued that mere declarations of interest are insufficient.
He called for candidates who can demonstrate clear capacity, structure, and a credible alternative agenda capable of persuading the Nigerian electorate.
His comments come amid heightened political activity, with multiple opposition figures and parties positioning themselves for the next electoral cycle.
Atiku remains a leading figure associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Peter Obi continues to command significant grassroots support.
Context of Internal and National Politics
The ADP has itself been navigating internal challenges in recent months, including disputes over its presidential nomination process and public friction between party leaders.
Sani has previously engaged in high-level consultations with various opposition stakeholders, including Atiku, as part of broader efforts to strengthen alternative platforms.
Analysts note that Sani’s latest intervention reflects a consistent theme in his public statements: the need for seriousness, organizational depth, and genuine policy alternatives rather than recycled ambitions.
He has repeatedly emphasised that defeating an incumbent requires more than regional popularity or personal brand recognition.
Broader Implications for 2027
With the countdown to the 2027 general election already underway, statements like Sani’s highlight the pressure on opposition leaders to move beyond criticism of the ruling party and articulate workable solutions to Nigeria’s economic, security, and governance challenges.
Whether the ADP chairman’s call for competence will influence the wider opposition conversation remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the race for 2027 is intensifying, and voices within the political space are increasingly demanding substance over slogans.
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