The Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will not be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, even if he runs on a joint ticket with Peter Obi.
Musawa made the remark during a conversation posted on Instagram by TheMicon Podcast on Saturday. She described Atiku as a “formidable opponent,” but insisted he is not a match for the ruling party.
“I think I wouldn’t say I don’t think he is a match. I think he’s a formidable opponent. But I do not think in 2027 that Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as much as I admire him and he’s such a great patriot and, you know, he’s like a father of mine, I would say, but I don’t think he’s a match,” she said.
The minister added that even a combined Atiku–Obi ticket would still fail to unseat the ruling party.
“I don’t think he’s a match even if Atiku and Peter become together,” she said.
Musawa also warned that such an arrangement could upset Obi’s supporters, who may not be willing to accept him as a vice-presidential candidate.
“So the Obidients that have vowed not to support, that’s going to upset a lot of Obidients because they’re not really willing to take Peter Obi as a vice-presidential candidate, are they? So that’s going to upset a lot of people, a lot of people are going to have to eat crow that said they wouldn’t support Peter Obi if he became vice-presidential candidate,” she said.
She added that if the roles were reversed, the opposition’s chances would be even worse.
“And if it’s the other way around, we will rather if Peter Obi is on the ticket as a presidential candidate, then that, is the fastest way the opposition is going to lose this election. I promise you. I promise you honestly,” Musawa stated.
