Nigeria’s political landscape is already heating up ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected to face one of the toughest electoral battles in the country’s democratic history.
According to a report by The Sun on Saturday, September 13, 2025, political movements are taking shape across the federation, with former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerging as potential challengers.
Both men, who boast deep political networks, are reportedly working behind the scenes to consolidate alliances and mobilize support. Jonathan has stepped up consultations with regional leaders, a move widely interpreted as a signal of his readiness to return to the national stage. Atiku, on the other hand, remains a strong presence in national politics, keeping his support base intact while monitoring the political atmosphere for the right time to act.
Tinubu’s administration has recorded notable achievements, but widespread dissatisfaction with some of his policies has generated resentment in several parts of the country. Analysts say this discontent is particularly evident in 20 states where his chances of reelection may be slim.
The states include Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Taraba, Niger, Zamfara, Benue, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Bayelsa, Oyo, Adamawa, Kwara, Bauchi, Kebbi, Delta, Jigawa, Katsina, and Ebonyi.
Political observers warn that if Jonathan and Atiku succeed in uniting their loyalists across these regions, President Tinubu’s bid for a second term could face a formidable challenge.
With less than two years before the general elections, shifting alliances, public sentiment, and regional politics are expected to determine the outcome of what many predict will be Nigeria’s most competitive presidential race yet.
