A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, says Nigerians will vote for the next leader based on President Bola Tinubu's performance.

Galadima made this comment in response to emerging arguments ahead of the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria.

Recall that Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), advised Atiku Abubakar and other political figures from the North to postpone their presidential ambitions until 2031 after President Bola Tinubu completes his second term.

In an interview with Arise News, Galadima firmly rejected discussing Nigerian politics through a regional lens. He emphasized the importance of evaluating leaders based on their performance and ability to fulfill their promises to the Nigerian people, stating, “I wouldn’t want to discuss Nigerian issues on the basis of north and south. I’m a nationalist.”

Regarding the political climate and the upcoming 2027 election, Galadima highlighted the voting power among Nigerians, which he believes will influence their voting decisions. He stated, “What the people feel now in their body will determine the way they vote in 2027. There is a big vacancy; in fact, there is nobody occupying that seat in 2027, according to the Nigerian constitution, so Akume’s assertion is only laughable.”

Galadima also criticized attempts to stifle political competition and the alleged efforts by the current administration to undermine the democratic process. He stated, “There is no amount of intimidation by anybody, even the amount of killing by anybody that will stop Nigerians from producing an alternative presidential candidate to run.”

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to co-opt other political parties through financial inducements, stating, “We know as of today that this government in APC is sending emissaries to compromise leaders of political parties, offering tens of billions to leaders of the parties.

“They are promising all political parties to align with the agenda of the present government so that in 2027, there will be no candidate.”