“Why I Am More Influential Than Kwankwaso, El-Rufai, Other Northern Politicians”, Atiku Gives Reason
- Atiku Abubakar asserts his unmatched political influence in Northern Nigeria
- The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said former Kano state governor Kwankwaso's support base has divided, affecting his electoral strength
- The former vice president challenged northern politicians' ability to match his voter appeal in the region
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering basic and tertiary education in Nigeria and worldwide
FCT, Abuja - The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said he is more politically influential in the North than Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwa, and others.
Atiku said no northern political figure commands more votes in the region than he does.
Source: Facebook
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said former Kano state governor, Kwankwaso, former Sokoto state governor, Tambuwal, former Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and other northern politicians cannot match his electoral strength in the region.
As reported by TheCable, Atiku stated this while speaking on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme.
“Can you tell me, among the current leaders in the north, who has more votes than I have?”
“I mean, you are talking about figures like Tambuwal, you are talking about figures like Kwankwaso, and others, and el-Rufai, and also the emerging political figures.
“None of them has got that northern bloc vote as much as I have got.”
The former vice-president, who acknowledged Kwankwaso’s influence in Kano, however, said the voting base in the state is now divided.
“Well, the absence of it may affect, but even in his own case, you can see how Kano is now split between himself and his former governor. So there is even a split in that.”
The Adamawa-born politician has contested for presidential election on three occasions — 2007 under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), 2019, and 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku speaks on rotational presidency
Recall that Atiku proposed a constitutional rotational presidency for equitable power-sharing in Nigeria.
The former Vice President claims PDP is the only party with an official zoning arrangement.
The ADC presidential aspirant highlighted the disparity in presidential tenure between the South and the North.
Read more stories on Atiku Abubakar:
- "Where Are Nigeria’s Missing Billions": Atiku Questions Tinubu Over World Bank Report
- 2027 Elections: Atiku Takes Swipe at Tinubu, “It Is a Disappointment”
- Atiku Finally Announces When He Will Stop Attempting to Become Nigeria's President
- Kwankwaso Opens Up on How Positions Will Be Shared in ADC
- Drama as ADC Adamawa Suspends Atiku, Video Trends
- Atiku Makes Fresh Serious Allegation against INEC, Explains Why ADC Is Being Targeted
Atiku: First option for 2027 ADC presidential primary
Atiku promoted consensus as the primary option for the ADC 2027 presidential primary.
The Former Vice President said direct primaries will follow if the consensus approach fails among the ADC presidential aspirants.
The 2023 PDP presidential candidate emphasized that consensus is crucial for saving Nigeria's democracy.
Source: Legit.ng
