Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, says a joint presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso would have a stronger chance of winning the 2027 presidential election than if both politicians contested separately.
Lawal made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, where he assessed the prospects of potential presidential contenders ahead of the next general election.
According to him, an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket would stand about a 70 per cent chance of victory, while he rated President Bola Tinubu’s chances at 50 per cent. He said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would not win the election.
“Peter Obi will try to be fair to everybody. Peter Obi will try to do that which is right. Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, take note, I’m pairing them. Individually will be disaster, but I’m pairing them,” Lawal said.
“So I’ll give them, on my own scale, close to 70 per cent. Again, Bola, 50. Atiku, zero.”
Lawal maintained that Atiku would lose if he contests the 2027 presidential election.
“Definitely, Atiku will lose. He will, and I pray he loses. I’m not the only one, and he will lose,” he added.
His comments come amid a strained relationship with the former vice-president following his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former SGF has repeatedly alleged that the ADC presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s candidate was fraught with irregularities, although the party has not officially responded to or accepted the claims.
Lawal’s remarks add to the growing political debate over possible alliances and realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties expected to explore coalition options as preparations for the polls gather momentum.
