2027 Election: Obi-Kwankwaso Bid Faces Northern Resistance

By: Abudu Olalekan

So, there’s this thing happening with the 2027 election. Or rather, it’s getting complicated fast.

We at Reportersroom dug into some fresh info, and the findings are… well, they aren’t exactly what the campaigners might want. Former Anambra governor Peter Obi has been pushing hard for the presidency. But now? His ambition is running into serious walls. Not everywhere, mind you. Just some parts of the North.

It seems the mood down there isn’t exactly welcoming. Stakeholders we spoke with told us straight up that most northerners haven’t really warmed up to his new outfit, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Some leaders are even telling their people stay away from it. You know how that sounds? They’re painting Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as folks who aren’t looking out for northern interests. Honestly? It paints a rough picture.

We saw stuff circulating on WhatsApp groups across the region. Some political flyers called them “haram.” That is forbidden, for those who don’t follow closely. And then there were reports of angry youths in Ungogo, Kano State, actually burning posters. Imagine walking up to campaign ads and setting them on fire because of what they represent.

There was even one assembly member, Muhammad Tomas. He joined the NDC from the APC recently, but guess what? He jumped ship back to the old guard.

The NDC feels invisible

Here is the crux of the matter. Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, who leads publicity for the Arewa Consultative Forum, put it bluntly during our chat on Saturday. He said the NDC is basically “largely unknown” to the average voter in the region.

Sure, big names like Kwankwaso get media attention. But does that translate to votes? Probably not yet. Muhammad-Baba pointed out that Kwankwaso’s base in Kano—his biggest win from 2023—might not be as solid as people think. Can he hold it? There are doubts.

He also noted something interesting. Politicians keep hopping platforms. One day they are here, next day they are there. It confuses the voters. Makes them suspicious.

Plus, there is this exhaustion everyone feels. People are tired of the whole ethnic and religious card game. The average northerner doesn’t believe anymore that having a Muslim-Muslim ticket or a northern candidate fixes everything. They want solutions. Real ones.

Muhammad-Baba mentioned that elites are asking questions now. Like, “Wait, where do we go?” There is confusion. It’s not necessarily hate for the NDC itself. They just don’t know them well yet.

The IPOB Issue

Then you have the elephant in the room. Or maybe, the ghost in the machine.

Zaid Ayuba from the Arewa Youth Consultative Council had a take. He told us the NDC isn’t accepted because of who Obi is specifically. According to him, northerners don’t trust him regarding IPOB.

He dismissed Kwankwaso’s ability to just market him past this. It’s a stigma. Always has been. In 2023, before declaration, people already knew.

“He has openly shown that he is an IPOB sympathiser,” Ayuba said. Remember that? Obi tried to condemn the Supreme Court judgment on proscribing IPOB. He said it wrongly designated them terrorists.

Now, Ayuba argues that trying to make northerners look like terrorist sympathisers doesn’t fly. Nobody reasonable sympathizes with Shekau or Yusuf. So why support a guy seen doing it?

Unless Obi gives a convincing explanation, Ayuba reckons the North won’t budge. He insists this isn’t about religion or tribe though. It’s about justice. But the feeling remains. The 2023 election felt like a religious war to some. Now they fear Obi has an agenda against the North.

“There is nothing Kwankwaso or anybody can do to make Obi acceptable,” Ayuba concluded. “This is a political reality.”

Where are they?

An anonymous political science professor from Sokoto weighed in. Spoke to Reportersroom but didn’t want his name tied to politics. His point was simple visibility.

Go to Kaduna. Jigawa. Benue. Plateau. Even Katsina. The NDC isn’t really there. Unlikely when compared to the APC, PDP, or ADC. He said it’s not about acceptability. It’s just visibility. Go outside Kano and you see the gap.

Meanwhile, the Northern Youth Assembly hit harder. They accused Kwankwaso outright. Calling it a betrayal of Kwankwasiyya values. Their statement said the movement has become a transactional instrument.

His betrayal isn’t about a party. It’s about the idea that northern leaders could stand for dignity without performative politics. They called him an embarrassment of the region. Harsh words, but powerful.

But the Party says they are winning

Hold on though. Not everyone agrees.

In Borno State, Haruna Amuda, the NDC Chairman, says they are recording growth. Thousands coming in from rivals. Structures set up in every LGA. He told Reportersroom massive defections are happening, especially from the ADC.

Up in Jigawa, Abdulrazak Birnin-Kudu agreed. Coordinators are in place. He says youth are the backbone. They are tired of the old order.

Aminu Dutse, the gubernatorial candidate there, noted economic hardship makes space for new platforms. Sure, the party is new. But candidates are ready.

Even Steve Aluko-Daniel from the Civil Liberty Organisation pushed back. He claims acceptance is high. Says the North doesn’t have a monolith front anymore. Since nobody inherited Buhari’s followers completely, voters are free to pick.

“If there is any credible election today, the NDC will floor other political parties,” Aluko-Daniel said.

Zakari Garba from the NDC Coalition Alliance Network echoed it. Said the movement expanded through youth, women, professionals. He thinks Obi-Kwankwaso is the strongest combo right now. Competence meets experience. Rebuilding economy. Restoring hope.

We tried to confirm

We did reach out. Attempted to call Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary. Didn’t answer calls. Same with Dr Yinusa Tanko from the Obidient Movement. He promised to get back but hasn’t as of filing.

So, where does that leave us?

On paper, the party says they are expanding rapidly. Ground-level sources say otherwise. It depends on which village square you talk to.

One thing is certain. The 2027 race in the North is going to be messy. More than anyone expected.