The Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Bukar Dalori, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will defeat former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Adamawa State and other parts of the North-East during the 2027 presidential election. Dalori made this prediction while speaking at an event in Abuja on Wednesday, October 26, 2026. He attributed his prediction to his experience as a grassroots politician and understanding of the region's political dynamics.
According to Dalori, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), will struggle to secure votes in his home state of Adamawa, despite expectations of strong support in the region. The North-East region comprises six states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. Dalori dismissed suggestions that Atiku was gaining significant support in the North-East, which could lead to a wide margin of victory for him in the 2027 presidential election.
Dalori insisted that the APC has a strong grassroots political structure capable of helping Tinubu secure victory, even in areas traditionally regarded as Atiku's strongholds. He emphasized that Atiku will not win even in his hometown of Adamawa, specifically at his polling unit. The statement comes as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the January 16, 2027, presidential election, in which Tinubu is seeking another term in office.
Atiku, a former vice president and longtime presidential contender, is among the opposition figures seeking to unseat Tinubu. Other candidates, such as Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, are also expected to challenge Tinubu in the election. Meanwhile, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council has insisted that Atiku is prepared to campaign across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the election.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council criticized reports that Tinubu might not campaign across all states during the presidential campaign, describing it as an act of arrogance and an insult to Nigerians. The council argued that a president seeking re-election should be prepared to meet voters, explain his administration's record, and present his plans for another term. Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated the position while receiving a delegation of youths under the aegis of Young Voters for Atiku.
Ologbondiyan maintained that Atiku is ready to travel across the country to engage Nigerians and explain how he intends to address the country's economic and security challenges. He criticized Tinubu over the reported reluctance to visit all parts of the country during the campaign, arguing that presidential candidates should be willing to face the electorate. Ologbondiyan cited former Nigerian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as former United States presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as examples of political figures who participated in campaigns while pursuing or seeking to retain political office.
The willingness of Atiku to travel across the country could provide the ADC with an opportunity to connect with voters and present its alternative to the ruling party. Ologbondiyan described Atiku as physically energetic, mentally alert, and prepared to engage Nigerians during the campaign. The ADC spokesman dismissed suggestions that official responsibilities could prevent Tinubu from campaigning nationwide, arguing that it is insincere and untrue.
Key points
- APC's Ali Bukar Dalori predicts Atiku Abubakar will lose in Adamawa State and North-East in 2027 presidential election.
- Atiku Abubakar is prepared to campaign across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the election.
- The ADC Presidential Campaign Council criticizes President Tinubu's reported reluctance to visit all parts of the country during the campaign.
