Entertainment, Politics

Sule Lamido Open to Supporting Peter Obi If He Leads Opposition Coalition in 2027

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 5th, 2025.

Sule Lamido Open to Supporting Peter Obi If He Leads Opposition Coalition in 2027

Former Jigawa State Governor and senior PDP figure, Sule Lamido, has signaled his readiness to back Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election—provided Obi becomes the consensus candidate of a unified opposition coalition.

Lamido emphasized that while his political loyalty remains with the PDP, he’s open to supporting any credible and visionary leader committed to rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges. “If Peter Obi or any candidate emerges from a coalition with a genuine commitment to national renewal, I will offer my support. It’s time we moved past ethnic and regional politics. Leadership should be about ideas and results, not origins,” Lamido said.

He also questioned the value of the North’s historical dominance in presidential leadership, pointing out that despite producing several presidents, the region remains underdeveloped. Lamido further noted that PDP’s zoning policy was originally a response to the annulment of the June 12 election and was intended as a temporary measure for national healing—not a permanent framework.

Middle Belt Forum Leans Toward Obi Amid Limited Northern Options

Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has hinted at the possibility of supporting Obi in 2027, especially in light of his promise to serve only one term. Dr. Bitrus Pogu, MBF’s National President, explained that Obi’s consistency and integrity give him an edge. He added that with the North facing a dearth of viable presidential options, aligning with a Southern candidate who commands trust—like Obi—may be the pragmatic choice.

“In situations where options are limited, people tend to go with those who appear trustworthy,” Dr. Pogu said. “While written agreements might be pursued, the reality is that Northern political elites are aware that repeating past attempts with northern candidates may not gain traction.”

Dr. Pogu also suggested former President Goodluck Jonathan as another potential option—given that the constitution would limit him to a single term if he were to run again.

Skepticism and Divided Opinions in the North

However, not all northern voices are optimistic about Obi’s proposal. Alhaji Jamilu Charanchi of the Coalition of Northern Groups expressed doubt about politicians pledging to serve a single term. “Campaign promises are often broken. Let’s wait and see what the North truly decides as 2027 approaches,” he remarked.

Anthony Sani, former Secretary General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, was more critical. He argued that such pledges may signal desperation for power rather than a genuine desire to serve. He also doubted whether the North would support Obi’s single-term offer, noting that many might still prefer Tinubu—should he choose to run again—since he would constitutionally be limited to one term.

Bitrus Kaze, a former federal lawmaker who previously backed Obi, acknowledged the political challenge. “While Obi’s offer seems appealing, I’m not sure it will convince the far North. The influence of the presidency is massive, and skepticism remains high,” he said.

Obi’s Popularity Growing in Northern Nigeria — Tanko Yunusa

On a more optimistic note, Alhaji Tanko Yunusa, Global Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, believes Obi’s influence is growing steadily in the North. He pointed to Obi’s recent conferment of a traditional title by the Pantami Emirate in Gombe State as evidence of rising acceptance.

“Obi’s single-term offer has helped ease concerns over the power rotation debate. His actions are gradually building trust in the North,” Yunusa stated. “Compared to 2023, Obi’s profile in 2025 is significantly stronger. There’s a visible shift that could translate into stronger support during the next election cycle.”

According to Yunusa, Obi has expressed confidence that even four years is enough to achieve meaningful transformation—demonstrating his commitment to service rather than political longevity.