Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he commands more political support across northern Nigeria than any other prominent figure from the region, underscoring rising competition ahead of future electoral contests.
Speaking during an appearance on Prime Time, a current affairs programme on Arise TV, Atiku said his longstanding political network and electoral track record place him ahead of rivals in the North.
“I pull more northern votes than anyone else,” he said, naming key figures such as Aminu Tambuwal, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufai as contemporaries he believes he surpasses in regional influence.
Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), pointed to his decades-long involvement in Nigerian politics, including multiple presidential bids, as evidence of his enduring appeal in the North — a region widely regarded as a decisive voting bloc in national elections.
His comments come amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where political heavyweights continue to position themselves for influence in future elections. Analysts say such claims reflect both internal rivalry and broader efforts to consolidate regional bases in a country where electoral success often hinges on geographic and ethnic coalitions.
While Atiku’s assertion highlights his confidence, it also sets the stage for renewed debate over who truly commands the North’s political loyalty — a question likely to shape alliances and strategies in the months ahead.
