A political scientist and public affairs analyst, Udenta Udenta, has stated that a presidential ticket pairing a strong southern candidate like Peter Obi with a credible northern running mate could defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Udenta, who once served as founding national secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, made this known on Sunday during an appearance on a Channels Television programme.
He argued that Nigeria’s current political dynamics favour an opposition alliance built on regional balance.
“Any pairing today, a Peter Obi in the South and anybody else in the North, will beat Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
He added that Obi remains the most prominent opposition figure in southern Nigeria, stressing that the choice of a northern counterpart would play a decisive role in shaping the opposition’s chances.
“The pairing in the South, what you have on the ground, visible and manifest, is Peter Obi, essentially in the South.
“The choice of who they have in the North is for them to make up their minds,” he said.
Udenta further argued that prevailing economic hardships could significantly influence voter sentiment ahead of the next election cycle.
According to him, public perception of the current administration may become a major factor in determining electoral outcomes.
“For Nigerians to hanker after the Buhari presidency is a testament to the failure of the Tinubu-led government.
”The question the President will ask himself as Nigerians go through an election is not about rhetoric or grandstanding.
“How were we on May 29, 2023, and how are we today? The answer will be resounding: We are worse off today than we were under the Buhari presidency.
“Abstract numbers on macroeconomic stability or lowering inflationary pressure will not work with the people; it is hunger that will speak for them. What matters is the living condition,” he added.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions within opposition circles about forming a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.
The African Democratic Congress has been identified as a possible platform for such a coalition, with key figures like Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi reportedly linked to the talks.
In the 2023 presidential election, the combined votes of Obi, Atiku, and Rabiu Kwankwaso who ran on different party platforms, exceeded 15 million, surpassing the total secured by President Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the President and the All Progressives Congress are said to be consolidating their political base ahead of the next election, with the backing of 31 state governors across the country.
