A member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has said Peter Obi will have an easier task in the 2027 presidential election than he did in 2023.
Yesufu, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Thursday, said the support base popularly known as the “Obidients” had laid significant groundwork during the 2023 election, giving Obi a stronger platform ahead of the 2027 contest.
Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, securing 6.1 million votes to finish third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 6.9 million votes, and President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who won with 8.7 million votes.
“2027 is even easier than 2023. 2023, you know, you had to put in all that work. ‘Let’s start it and see.’ By the time we had the former governor of Edo State, he really helped us without knowing; he helped us by refusing to allow us to have all those halls and everything, and Edo people came out to say, ‘Hey, we are doing this.’
“That was when we had that shift when people saw that this is possible, a new Nigeria is possible. But right now, everybody has seen it, Mr Peter Obi all over the country,” Yesufu said.
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She also identified the alliance between Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as a factor that could improve the NDC’s chances in 2027.
“We have this alliance that has come between the Obidients and the Kwankwasiyya, and you are seeing Mr Peter Obi’s running mate, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso bringing in a whole lot into the union,” she said.
Yesufu further said the economic hardship in the country could play a major role in determining voters’ choices in the 2027 election.
According to her, the widespread hardship had made many Nigerians less concerned about religious considerations in politics, including the Muslim-Muslim ticket, as economic realities increasingly shape their political decisions.
‘Obi Most Courageous Nigerian Politician’
Yesufu also defended Obi’s decision to discontinue his planned trip to Yelwata in Benue State after his convoy was stopped by youths while travelling along the Gboko-Makurdi road on Tuesday.
Obi had been scheduled to visit communities and families affected by recent violence in the area.
While some Nigerians questioned why he did not proceed with the visit, Yesufu described the decision as strategic rather than an indication of fear.
She described Obi as the most courageous politician in Nigeria, citing his previous visits to areas affected by insecurity.
“I have said this many times: there is no politician in Nigeria that is as courageous as Mr Peter Gregory Obi,” Yesufu said.
She recalled that Obi had previously visited Benue and was on his way to Yelwata again when the incident occurred.
Referring to President Tinubu’s previous absence from Yelwata and a visit to Jos, Yesufu said, “He went to Jos; that is someone who is supposedly called the Commander in Chief. He couldn’t even enter Jos.”
She added that despite Obi’s courage, there were situations where political leaders needed to act strategically.
“Mr Peter Obi has been to Benue before; this time he was going to that same Yelwata, but you need to understand something: there is a place where someone has to be strategic. You have a lot of things to do, so if you are fighting people who don’t have work, it doesn’t make any sense at that moment,” she said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.