Atiku-Obi Split Could Hand Tinubu 2027 Victory, Donald Duke Warns

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate Donald Duke has warned that continued division between former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi could strengthen President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

Duke, a former governor of Cross River State, issued the warning during an interview where he discussed the emerging political alignments ahead of the election.

According to Duke, the major opposition forces risk repeating the pattern of the 2023 presidential election if their leading candidates continue to contest separately. Atiku contested the 2023 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Obi ran under the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Duke argued that the fragmentation of opposition votes contributed to President Tinubu’s victory in 2023 and could again benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if a similar pattern emerges in 2027.

He attributed the difficulty of achieving opposition unity partly to competing ambitions among prominent political figures, warning that individual political interests could undermine efforts to build a stronger electoral coalition.

“If we fragmented the Democrats, for instance, into two or three other parties, the Republicans will remain in office forever. That’s what we’re doing,” Duke said, drawing an analogy with American politics.

The PRP candidate was particularly emphatic when asked whether his assessment meant Tinubu would win another term if Atiku and Obi remained divided. Duke answered, “Absolutely,” according to reports of the interview.

His comments come amid continuing efforts by opposition politicians and political groups to explore a common platform ahead of the 2027 election. Earlier consultations involving Atiku, Obi, Seyi Makinde, Duke and other opposition figures have focused on the possibility of creating a broader political front capable of challenging the APC. However, disagreements over leadership, candidate selection and political interests remain significant obstacles.

Duke’s intervention therefore adds to the growing debate over whether Nigeria’s opposition parties can overcome their differences and present a sufficiently coordinated challenge to the incumbent administration.

The 2027 presidential contest is expected to remain highly competitive, with political parties and major candidates already positioning themselves ahead of the vote. Ultimately, the outcome will be determined by voters and the electoral process, rather than political predictions alone.

Donald Duke warns that continued division between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi could strengthen Bola Tinubu’s chances of winning the 2027 Nigerian presidential election.