2027 ELECTIONS: YARI CLAIMS TINUBU CONTROLS OVER 20 STATES, QUESTIONS OBI AND ATIKU’S REACH

By NaijaParrot October 10, 2026 

 ABUJA, NIGERIA — 

Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enjoys political control in more than 10 states each in Northern and Southern Nigeria, while questioning the regional influence of opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Yari made the remarks on Friday after meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he briefed the President on preparations for the APC’s re-election campaign.

YARI QUESTIONS ATIKU AND OBI’S REGIONAL SUPPORT 

 According to Yari, Tinubu has established a broader political presence across the country than his major challengers. He questioned whether Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), could claim control of any state in Southern Nigeria. He also challenged Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, to demonstrate comparable political influence in the North. Yari argued that presidential candidates need support across Nigeria’s major regions rather than relying heavily on one geographical bloc. He cited former President Muhammadu Buhari’s earlier electoral experiences to support his argument that strong backing in the North alone was insufficient to secure victory nationally. According to Yari, Tinubu’s claimed political reach across both regions gives the APC a foundation for its 2027 campaign. 

 APC CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON TINUBU’S RECORD 

 Beyond regional political calculations, Yari defended Tinubu’s performance since assuming office in May 2023. He argued that the administration had made progress in addressing the challenges it inherited and said the APC intended to campaign on its record rather than promises alone. However, these comments represent the APC campaign leadership’s assessment of the administration’s performance. The economic impact of government policies remains a subject for assessment using relevant economic indicators and evidence. 

 TINUBU’S CAMPAIGN PREPARATIONS 

 Yari also disclosed that the APC planned to hold its Presidential Campaign Council’s inaugural meeting on October 14, ahead of the campaign flag-off scheduled for October 24 in Kaduna State. He said the proposed campaign programme would include visits to other states, with Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Maiduguri in Borno State identified as subsequent destinations. 

 WHAT YARI’S CLAIM MEANS FOR 2027 

Yari’s comments highlight the importance the APC places on building political support across Nigeria’s regions ahead of the next presidential election. However, his assertion that Tinubu controls more than 10 states in each region is a political claim, not an independently established count of electoral support. Political influence within a state does not automatically translate into votes, and the eventual outcome will depend on voters, campaign activities and the applicable electoral process. Atiku and Obi’s actual levels of support across the country will need to be assessed through verifiable political activity, polling where available, and ultimately the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. 

  NaijaParrot will continue to follow developments as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections. 

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