2027: Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Makinde, and Hayatu‑Deen to contest against Tinubu

—Atiku, Amaechi submit forms; Makinde declares; Obi vows one term. “It’s time to save Nigeria” — Atiku. “Emilokan brought us here,” Amaechi says, “and the APC’s policies have left citizens in hardship.”

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Adeola Badru & Luminous Jannamike

LAGOS — Leading opposition figures announced yesterday that they are ready to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election by taking concrete steps toward their candidacies.

Former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, a twice‑running PDP candidate who is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), filed his nomination form with the party, declaring that Nigeria needs a “rescue” from its current state.

Former Rivers State governor and Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi also submitted his nomination to the ADC, urging Nigerians to elect a “credible leader” and criticizing the APC’s “emilokan” policy for plunging the country into hardship.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde formally announced his intention to contest the 2027 election under a new opposition alliance that includes the PDP and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), describing the partnership as the start of a wider political coalition.

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, now in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said that if elected he would serve only one term and would not seek a second term even under threat.

Dr. Mohammed Hayatu‑Deen of the ADC had earlier in the week submitted his form, pledging to change the country’s fortunes if elected.

Emilokan brought us here

In Abuja, Amaechi remarked that the “emilokan” philosophy that guided the last election has pushed Nigerians into hardship, and he warned that the country can no longer choose leaders based on ethnicity, religion or “turns.”

He said, “It is Emilokan that brought us here. It is ‘our turn’ that brought us here. It is the turn of Nigerians, because you see, there is no market for Christians, neither is there a market for Muslims, or a market for Northerners or Southerners. The market has only one purpose, the forex. And what is forex? Naira. Nigerians are suffering.”

Amaechi blamed the current administration for the economic difficulties and questioned the APC’s desire for another term, stating, “The current president has put us in this suffering. I don’t know why he wants to run. I don’t even know why APC wants to participate. They should be in shame and allow other Nigerians to participate and change the country.”

He urged voters to reject identity politics, adding, “Nigerians should vote for merit, not those who say ‘I’m from this place’, ‘I’m from that place’, ‘vote for me because my people have not been voted for before’, or ‘it’s our turn’.”

Amaechi said the 2027 election should serve as a referendum on the records of the candidates, stating, “If you have performed, whoever has outperformed the other, vote for the person. The next thing is who is capable of delivering the votes? Who is capable of beating the incumbent? Who has the experience?”

He highlighted his experience as governor of Rivers State and as Minister of Transportation, claiming, “I believe I am the most experienced. I am young, I am the most experienced, and I believe I have the capacity.” He added, “Go back to Rivers State and see what I have done. Go back to the Ministry of Transportation and see what I have done, and assess it and see whether I can turn the country around. And I will, in four years, turn the country around.”

Regarding the selection of a party’s presidential candidate, Amaechi expressed a preference for a direct primary, saying, “I’m going for primary. If the consensus is me, fine. But if it’s not me, I’m going for primary.”

I’ll be a one‑term president — Obi

In an interview broadcast on News Central TV, Obi stated, “I want to be a one‑term president because of stability. I will not stay a day longer than four years, even with a gun to my head.”

The former Anambra governor also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, including borrowing and the rising cost of living, describing Nigeria’s situation as one of its most difficult periods.

He cited historical examples, saying, “One of the greatest American presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures. John F. Kennedy did not complete a full term, but his ideals still inspire. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as president of South Africa despite immense public pressure to stay longer.”

“His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self,” Obi added. “Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it,” he said, assuring that if elected he would serve a single term.

It’s time to save Nigeria — Atiku

After submitting his ADC nomination form for the 2027 presidential race, former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar posted a video and photographs of the ceremony at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja on his X page.

He wrote, “The march to restore prosperity and better days to our beloved nation took a firm and decisive step forward today