A CASE FOR A PETER OBI–NASIR EL-RUFAI PRESIDENTIAL TICKET IN 2027
As the 2027 election cycle inches closer, the tempo of political activities is noticeably rising across the polity, with realignments within and among political parties. Notably, there have been several defections from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to permutations that if the trend continues, the PDP may soon go under. Many of its leading figures may have deserted the party by the time the 2027 elections arrive.
Opposition political figures are presently taking stock of these developments with one major question before them: Who will lead the charge in stemming the tide of disarray and galvanize forces to challenge the APC, which appears poised to devour what remains of the opposition?
In this context, the opposition faces a dual dilemma—meeting the yearnings of Nigerians who seek freedom from the suffocating chokehold of desperate economic conditions, and assembling a formidable ticket capable of igniting public support for what promises to be a keen political contest in 2027.
Based on my reading of the political tea leaves, I have narrowed down the most viable ticket for the opposition to a Peter Obi–Nasir El-Rufai Presidential pairing for the following five compelling reasons:
1. Burying the Ghost of the Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) remains the most tragic event in the country’s history. Though it ended over 55 years ago, the scars still linger. The Igbos, the principal victims of the war, lost millions and have continued to bear its burdens in forms of alienation and marginalization.
While the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba are firmly integrated into Nigeria’s political power structure, the Igbo seem to be the "wobbly third leg" in the often-cited three-legged stool analogy. This imbalance reflects a deeper dysfunction in Nigeria’s structure. There is an urgent need to address the "Igbo question" if Nigeria must move forward.
Peter Obi, a symbol of Igbo resilience, has distinguished himself in personal, corporate, and public life. He stands out as the most travelled and widely accepted Igbo political personality of his generation. As a consensus or coalition Presidential candidate, Obi could finally mainstream the Igbos in Nigeria’s political economy and bring closure to a long-standing national question.
2. Saving Nigerian Democracy
Current developments point to a disturbing trend: Nigeria’s democracy is under siege. The APC appears determined to emasculate the opposition, as evidenced by its gradual control of the legislative and judiciary arms of government and its manipulation of opposition party structures.
The aim seems to be the establishment of a de facto one-party state—a throwback to past authoritarian misadventures, from Babangida’s convoluted political schemes to Abacha’s "five leprous fingers" of political parties and Obasanjo’s third-term gambit. These attempts were ultimately thwarted by the vigilance of Nigerians.
President Tinubu’s administration, through its suppression of dissent and manipulation of institutions, is attempting a similar path. Defending democracy now requires experienced and tenacious political actors like Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai—formidable gladiators with the grit to lead a national democratic resistance.
3. Lifting the Chokehold of Harsh Economic Policies
Nigerians are groaning under the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms—reforms which have led to hyperinflation, currency instability, high unemployment, and extreme poverty. Companies are exiting the country; power and energy costs are unsustainable; even Aso Villa has opted out of the national power grid.
International institutions like the IMF and World Bank have distanced themselves from Tinubu's economic policies and have called for a reset, but the President has remained unmoved.
This situation calls for a new economic direction. Obi and El-Rufai, both economic reformers in their own right, represent a viable alternative capable of reviewing and reshaping Nigeria’s economic policies pragmatically and empathetically to provide much-needed relief.
4. Need for Regional and Religious Balance
Nigeria is a diverse country—ethnically, regionally, and religiously. The current APC Presidential pairing (both Muslims) has deepened religious tension and exclusion in the country.
A Peter Obi–Nasir El-Rufai ticket would not only balance the North-South divide but also correct the religious imbalance by combining a Christian from the Southeast with a Muslim from the Northwest. This pairing would symbolize unity and inclusion, vital for national cohesion in 2027.
5. A New Political Paradigm: Beyond Entitlement and Exclusion
Nigeria’s politics has become transactional, where public office is treated as a reward, not a responsibility. Politicians often feel accountable to their funders, not the voters. This has led to a collapse of constitutional values, arbitrary governance, and suppression of civil rights.
We now face a new threat: the subversion of democracy by a civilian government under the pretense of democratic norms. This is no less dangerous than military rule.
This is not the time for opposition gerrymandering or in-fighting. It is a moment that demands strategy, courage, and pragmatism. Nigerians must resist any threat to democracy—whether military or civilian—and rally behind a credible leadership team that reflects unity, competence, and vision.
Among the opposition figures, regardless of party affiliation, many Nigerians agree that Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai are best suited to lead this crusade.
GADU, a former Foreign Service Officer who served at the Nigerian Missions in Germany and the United Kingdom (UK), is a columnist with Daily Trust.
Email: ilgad2009@gmail.com
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