Respected journalist and broadcaster Donu Kogbara has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to take a backseat in the race for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency and instead throw his weight behind former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Monday, Kogbara urged Atiku to become a unifying statesman who supports a younger, more dynamic candidate to lead the charge for political change.
“Atiku should become the daddy of this thing. He should become a statesman who stands behind Peter and whoever his running mate will be,” Kogbara asserted, suggesting that Nigeria needs fresh leadership rather than the recycled political figures of the past.
Her comments came as part of a broader discussion about public fatigue with traditional political actors and the necessity of building broad-based coalitions ahead of the next general elections. Kogbara underscored the need for experienced figures like Atiku to play kingmaker roles rather than perpetually seeking power.
Public Disinterest in Old Faces: Online Poll Sparks Debate
Kogbara’s call was informed in part by an informal online poll she conducted on social media, which revealed a striking disinterest in the established political heavyweights. “I threw it open to Twitter… I was quite taken aback by the results,” she said. “Atiku only got 7%, Amaechi only got 6%, and 87% said they didn’t want either of them.”
While acknowledging the limitations of such polls, Kogbara noted that they serve as valuable snapshots of public sentiment. “They are not the end all and be all,” she remarked, but they reflect growing frustration among citizens, particularly the youth, who appear to favor new political alternatives.
She also recognized the regional imbalance in her social media audience, admitting, “I’m quite aware of the possibility that my audience is not Northern enough.” To gain a more balanced view, Kogbara disclosed that she is organizing more regionally diverse polls in areas like Kano and Maiduguri.
Peter Obi’s Popularity and the Danger of Political Idolisation
In her assessment of Peter Obi’s standing, Kogbara was unequivocal: “I just find that Peter Obi is way and above the most popular politician in Nigeria today.” She highlighted Obi’s perceived integrity and no-nonsense approach as qualities that resonate with Nigerians weary of corruption and misgovernance.
However, Kogbara cautioned against what she described as the “unconditional worship” of any political figure. “I do not approve of hero worship,” she warned. “If Peter Obi does something really obnoxious tomorrow, I will be the first one to say so.” She emphasized the need for citizens to maintain critical distance and hold leaders accountable, no matter how popular or charismatic they may be.
Drawing a historical parallel, she compared the current political moment to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013-2014, noting that Nigerians then were drawn to Buhari because of his perceived discipline and incorruptibility—a narrative she believes now surrounds Obi.
The Case for a Strategic Coalition and the Northern Vote
Kogbara was realistic about the necessity of coalitions in Nigeria’s political landscape, even though she expressed a personal preference for independent candidates. “I would have preferred Peter to stand on his own. But… I can live with the coalition,” she conceded.
She dismissed the idea that past electoral results should dictate future political strategies, asserting, “I don’t trust the results of the 2023 election… There was so much muggle muggle,” using a colloquial phrase to suggest electoral malpractice. In her view, the 2027 contest offers an opportunity for a genuine political reset.
On the question of whether Obi could garner enough support in the North, Kogbara pointed out that President Bola Tinubu’s policies have already alienated many northern voters. “Tinubu has already upset a lot of northerners… I’m not sure it’s going to be that difficult to topple Tinubu in the north this time around,” she observed. She advised that a carefully constructed alliance—potentially with Atiku playing an elder statesman role—could effectively challenge the status quo.
Kogbara Urges Citizens to Demand for Accountability, Reject Political Complacency
Concluding her remarks, Kogbara issued a powerful call to action for Nigerian citizens. She urged them to reject political complacency and engage critically with their leaders. “Nigerians… stop behaving like sheep… Judge and protest when there’s a reason to protest,” she said emphatically.
Kogbara stressed the importance of political credibility, warning that parties and candidates must ensure that those with tarnished reputations do not become the public face of any political movement. “It’s such a difficult balancing act,” she admitted. “I don’t envy Peter. I don’t envy Atiku. I don’t envy Amaechi.”
Her words reflect the complex dynamics of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, where public disillusionment with the old guard is palpable, but the road to meaningful change remains fraught with challenges. As the 2027 election cycle looms, Kogbara’s call for strategic alliances, political maturity, and citizen vigilance may well shape the national discourse in the months and years ahead.
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