Dare Babalola
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dominic Alancha, has expressed concerns that a potential alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi could significantly weaken the ruling party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
Alancha raised this concern on Wednesday when he was fielding questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television.
The party chieftain warned that if Atiku and Obi agree on a joint presidential ticket, they could easily pull 13 to 14 million votes, which would seriously impact the APC’s chances.
He noted that the combined strength of Atiku and Obi, who polled over 12 million votes in 2023, could pose a significant threat to the APC.
“In 2027, the dynamics may not be the same as what happened in 2023. If Peter Obi and Atiku can align, have a consensus amongst themselves and agree on a single ticket, I’m telling you it’s going to deplete our support base because, at the table, they already have over 13 to 14 million votes.
“It is not too early in the day because preparation precedes manifestation. If you’re not preparing to succeed, then you must have been planning to fail.
“What we are telling the President, as members of the APC and as citizens in touch with the grassroots, is that there may be quietness now, but when campaigns commence, there are going to be serious issues,” he warned.
The APC chieftain also advised President Bola Tinubu against retaining the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027, insisting that it could erode the party’s national appeal and present the opposition with an easy campaign tool.
Alancha emphasised the need for the APC to prepare for the elections and avoid repeating the 2023 formula, which alienated northern Christians and limited the party’s electoral reach.
