Politics & 2027 Prep / Atiku-Tinubu Exchanges

There was a heated discussion about the 2027 polls ahead as presidential and vice-presidential candidates sparred in the latest development in the prolonged tussle between Atiku Abubakar and Tinubu’s camp. Atiku questioned President Tinubu on reports in the Economist Magazine about $20 billion (₦27 trillion) of projects awarded to businessman Gilbert Chagoury, a close ally of Tinubu. Atiku asked him to explain the contracts, particularly how they were competitively negotiated, if there were any waivers of taxes or duties, who beneficially owned them, and whether major contracts had been excessively centralized. “This constitutes an assault on the people’s trust in the nation’s sovereignty,” he said, noting that Nigerians could not continue to suffer as the president spent vast amounts of public money on unclear initiatives.

Atiku’s criticism comes as the PDP and other opposition groups plan to hold meetings and perhaps a summit in preparation for the 2027 polls. Meanwhile, the EU has clarified its stance on supporting Nigeria’s electoral process, and other campaign-related activities are also underway. The exchanges between Atiku and Tinubu, as well as other leaders, ensure that governance issues dominate the political discourse. The presidential and governors’ races in Osun State were intensely fought, with Tinubu’s supporters pointing to reforms while Atiku’s camp accused his allies of corruption and mismanagement. However, such debates tend to persist, shaping the political landscape and fueling speculation about the eventual outcome.