APC chieftain warns of potential threat from Obi-Atiku alliance in 2027 elections

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dominic Alancha, has warned that a possible alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi could weaken the ruling party’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Alancha said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Alancha noted that if Obi and Atiku align, have a consensus amongst themselves, and agree on a single ticket, it could deplete the APC’s support base.

He also cited the combined votes of Obi and Atiku in the 2023 elections, which totaled over 12 million votes, exceeding President Bola Tinubu’s votes.

According to him, “In 2027, the dynamics may not be the same as what happened in 2023. If Peter Obi and Atiku can align, have a consensus amongst themselves and agree on a single ticket, I’m telling you it’s going to deplete our support base because, at the table, they already have over 13 to 14 million votes,”

To counter this, the APC member, who also leads the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF), advised President Tinubu against retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, insisting it could erode the party’s national appeal.

He further warned that retaining the ticket would present the opposition with an easy campaign tool and deplete the APC’s support base.

His words: “It is not too early in the day because preparation precedes manifestation. If you’re not preparing to succeed, then you must have been planning to fail.

“What we are telling the President, as members of the APC and as citizens in touch with the grassroots, is that there may be quietness now, but when campaigns commence, there are going to be serious issues,” he warned.

He also said that there have been mounting rumours about a possible 2027 presidential bid by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Alancha noted that if Jonathan is on the ballot, along with Atiku and Obi, the Muslim-Muslim ticket might not be sustainable.

The APC faces potential challenges in the 2027 elections, including the possibility of a strong opposition alliance and the need to balance its ticket to appeal to a broader electorate.