Obidients Tackle Onanuga, Declare Tinubu’s 2027 Defeat Certain

DDM News

(DDM) — The political atmosphere ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections is intensifying, as Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, boldly dismissed the possibility of a successful alliance between opposition leaders Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.

Onanuga made the controversial statement on Thursday, July 10, during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, asserting that even a united opposition cannot defeat the Tinubu–Shettima ticket in the next election.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that his comments sparked swift reactions from the Obidient Movement—supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi—who took to social media to challenge the adviser’s confidence, dismissing his remarks as premature political arrogance.

Speaking live on national television, Onanuga accused opposition figures of “jumping the gun,” insisting it was too early to begin politicking for 2027. Nevertheless, he maintained a defiant tone regarding their chances.

“They are free to form alliances, but as far as the APC is concerned, we do not see them as any threat,” Onanuga declared.

“If you merge Peter Obi and Atiku together, there is no way they can defeat Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima. It is going to be impossible.”

His statement came amid renewed speculation that Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may be considering a merger or united front ahead of the next presidential election.

In a separate development, Onanuga took to his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle to underscore President Tinubu’s longstanding political influence, claiming he played a decisive role in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s historic 2015 victory.

“Tinubu ensured that Buhari clinched the APC presidential ticket by overcoming strong challengers like Atiku and Kwankwaso.

But more critically, he gave Buhari geographical spread and votes from the South-West,” he wrote.

According to Onanuga, Buhari had always polled about 12 million votes in the North, but it was Tinubu’s intervention that provided the missing ingredients of national spread and regional balance.

These remarks have stirred nationwide political discourse, especially among younger Nigerians on social media who back Obi’s clean-governance rhetoric and Atiku’s entrenched PDP structure.

Obidients, in particular, flooded Twitter with counter-narratives, accusing Onanuga of underestimating public frustration over economic hardship, inflation, and insecurity under Tinubu’s administration.

“In 2023, they said Obi stood no chance. He won Lagos. Let 2027 come,” one user posted.

Another wrote, “Merging Peter Obi and Atiku isn’t just arithmetic, it’s national healing from APC trauma. Wait for it.”

Analysts note that while 2027 is still two years away, this flurry of verbal exchanges signals the beginning of high-stakes political calculations.

Some observers believe that a credible merger between Obi and Atiku could unsettle the APC’s electoral advantage, particularly if economic conditions remain fragile.

Others argue that ideological and generational differences may hinder such a union, especially with Obi’s support base rooted in reformist ideals and Atiku’s legacy tied to the political old guard.

For now, the APC remains publicly unshaken.

But if social media sentiment is any guide, 2027 may not be as predictable as Tinubu’s inner circle believes.

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