Ahead of the 2027 general elections, elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai has told those yearning to unseat President Bola Tinubu that it won’t be a tea party.
He said it would require a lot of financial capacity, just as he noted that the North alone cannot determine who emerges as president.
Speaking against the backdrop of growing coalition against the Tinubu Presidency, Yakassai told Vanguard: “The presidential election is a national affair. Any presidential election is a national issue, the North alone cannot determine who becomes President; the South alone cannot make it.
“The South and North must come together with a formidable candidate to get it done.”
On the need for a financial base, he had this to say:
“When I mean a formidable candidate, it means apart from someone with the popularity, he must have the financial clout.
“Elections in Nigeria now involve a lot of money. Unfortunately, people with money in Nigeria do not like to sponsor any candidate. You must have enough money to put yourself there but don’t rely on others.”
Emphasising his earlier position, Yakasai declared that though the North plays a critical role in the emergence of a president, it cannot make the decision alone.
The elder statesman said: “Like I said, the North alone cannot decide who becomes President in 2027 but it will play a very important role because of its numbers.
“Of course, other factors will make it possible for a presidential candidate to emerge and win elections in this country. Those factors include acceptability and support by the stakeholders.”
NATIONAL POST reports that there are underground moves for a coalition to defeat President Tinubu in 2027.
However, it is still unclear those that will be part of the coalition and the political platform they will use to realise the ambition.