A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has argued that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot replicate the northern political appeal of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso, in a statement made available to newsmen, said the political dynamics of northern Nigeria had changed significantly, arguing that Atiku could no longer rely on ethnic and regional sentiments to secure widespread support among Hausa-Fulani voters.

He maintained that Buhari, who enjoyed considerable political followership across the North during his lifetime, had a level of acceptance that Atiku had yet to demonstrate.

“Atiku is not Buhari. He does not possess the size, stature and acceptance of the late Nigerian President to pose a threat to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Kwankwaso said.

The APC chieftain also questioned Atiku’s record during his eight years as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, challenging him to demonstrate the achievements of his time in office and explain how they would inform his proposals for Nigeria.

According to Kwankwaso, voters in the North are increasingly concerned about leadership performance, development and policies that can improve their livelihoods, rather than ethnic or religious considerations alone.

“The North has gone beyond primordial sentiment, and his penchant for relying on the ethno-religious card will certainly fail him,” he said.

Kwankwaso further alleged that Atiku’s political associates were concerned about his ability to attract Hausa-Fulani voters, claiming that this had influenced what he described as efforts to undermine or collapse the NDC under its banner.

He did not provide evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegation.

The APC chieftain expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political standing in the North, arguing that opposition efforts to build a regional coalition against the President would be tested by changing political calculations ahead of the 2027 election.

However, the extent to which ethnic, religious, regional and economic considerations will influence voting patterns in the North remains an open question, particularly amid public concerns over the cost of living, economic reforms and governance.

Atiku, a former vice president and perennial presidential contender, remains a prominent figure in opposition politics as parties and political groups position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.