The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will retain power in 2027, dismissing claims that a possible alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State governor Peter Obi could defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Musawa made the remarks during an interview on The Mic On Podcast, shared on Instagram on Saturday, where she weighed the prospects of prominent opposition figures ahead of the next general election.
While acknowledging Atiku’s political experience and influence, the minister said the former vice president lacks the capacity to overcome the APC’s electoral strength.
“I see him as a formidable opponent,” Musawa said. “But as much as I respect and admire him, I do not believe that Vice President Atiku Abubakar would be able to match the ruling party in 2027.”
She added that a joint Atiku–Obi presidential ticket would not significantly alter the opposition’s fortunes.
“I don’t think he’s a match even if Atiku and Peter come together,” she stated.
According to Musawa, such a coalition could instead widen cracks within opposition ranks, especially among Peter Obi’s loyal supporters, popularly known as Obidients, many of whom oppose the idea of Obi serving as a running mate.
“That kind of ticket is likely to upset a lot of Obidients,” she said, noting that Obi’s base has consistently resisted any vice-presidential role for their preferred candidate. “Some people will have to reconsider positions they once held.”
Musawa also argued that presenting Obi as the presidential candidate would be even more detrimental to the opposition.
“If Peter Obi is presented as the presidential candidate instead, that would be the quickest way for the opposition to lose the election,” she said.
Her comments come amid ongoing discussions within opposition circles, as Obi’s supporters insist that the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) must field him as its presidential flagbearer for 2027.
Meanwhile, the ADC has cautioned against divisive rhetoric from party stakeholders, warning that internal disagreements over candidacy could ultimately play into the hands of the APC.
