Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has dismissed the prospects of Peter Obi emerging victorious in the 2027 presidential election, while also making it clear that he will not be backing the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
Lawal made the remarks while speaking on the evolving political landscape ahead of the next general election, arguing that the realities surrounding electoral contests in Nigeria place incumbent President Bola Tinubu in a dominant position.
According to him, if the determining factor for electoral victory remains the manipulation of results, Tinubu remains the politician to beat.
“Tinubu will win with landslide. If the parameter for winning the election in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu,” Lawal stated.
He also referenced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that any political strength rooted in electoral maneuvering would ultimately face a stronger opponent.
“If Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, he will meet the master leader in the front next year. And so they will be all the worse for it,” he added.
The comments arrive at a time when political alignments and calculations ahead of 2027 continue to attract increasing attention across party lines. With conversations around possible contenders already gathering momentum, Lawal’s position reflects a notable departure from expectations that various opposition figures could eventually rally around a common platform.
He further distanced himself from Peter Obi’s political future, stating that he does not intend to be involved.
“I won’t support Peter Obi. I don’t want to be part of anything again,” Lawal said.
His remarks add another layer to the wider discussion surrounding opposition strategies ahead of the 2027 election cycle, particularly as political actors continue to define their positions in an increasingly competitive landscape.