Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has made waves in Nigeria’s political scene with his bold prediction regarding the 2027 presidential election. According to Bashir, if Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, contests again in 2027 with a “strong Northern candidate” as his running mate, he could decisively defeat incumbent President Bola Tinubu potentially before the “first lady finishes breakfast” on Election Day.
Bashir voiced this opinion in a statement on social media, underscoring Obi’s broad appeal among Nigeria’s youth and his energized, cult-like following as decisive factors. He argued that Obi’s popularity, particularly when paired with a credible Northern politician, would create a potent alliance with nationwide reach, strong enough to unseat Tinubu in a landslide.
In his remarks, Bashir lauded former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as still “a force to be reckoned with,” but emphasized that the momentum and generational support behind Obi now pose the biggest challenge to both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition figures.
This forecast from an influential political family comes as Nigeria’s opposition forces consider coalitions and realignments ahead of the next election cycle. Bashir’s comments also reflect ongoing dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration, which critics in and outside government argue has failed to meet public expectations on security, the economy, and good governance.
The scenario Bashir describes Obi leading a coalition and selecting a strong Northern running mate has renewed debates among analysts and party leaders over the prospects of new alliances disrupting Nigeria’s traditional voting patterns and party loyalties. Political observers say the 2027 campaign could become a real test of cross-regional appeal, youth energy, and coalition-building capacity.
With Nigeria’s political landscape rapidly evolving, Bashir El-Rufai’s remarks highlight both rising opposition confidence and the strategic importance of forging strong North-South partnerships in a country where ethnic, regional, and generational dynamics remain critical to electoral victory.