Senator Ali Ndume has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against underestimating the growing strength of opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the contest could be one of the toughest political battles in recent history.
The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District said the emergence of key opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde should not be taken lightly by the ruling party.
Responding to questions about the potential challenge facing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC in 2027, Ndume acknowledged that a formidable political contest may be on the horizon.
“The storm is coming. Atiku is coming; Peter Obi is coming. Seyi Makinde is coming. Can the APC and Tinubu withstand the storm that is coming in 2027?” he was asked.
Ndume responded by saying he was not overly worried but stressed the importance of taking political opponents seriously.
“I am not that worried about it, but at the same time I don’t take opponents for granted,” he said.
The outspoken lawmaker expressed concern that some people around the president may not be providing honest feedback about the political realities facing the administration.
“I have said this several times on television, and that is the mistake most of us are making, especially those around Mr President: having problems telling him the facts,” Ndume stated.
He predicted that the 2027 election would be highly competitive, describing it as a fierce political contest that would require serious preparation from all sides.
“We are going to struggle it out together; it can be hard like the WWE; it’s going to be a tough fight,” he added.
Ndume’s remarks come amid increasing political discussions and early alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and influential political figures already being mentioned as potential challengers to President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Political observers believe the comments reflect growing recognition within the APC that the next election cycle could be fiercely contested if opposition forces succeed in building a united front.
As political activities gradually gather momentum, attention is expected to focus on possible alliances, party realignments and the strategies that will shape Nigeria’s political landscape in the run-up to 2027.
