The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned opposition political actors against embracing what it described as a self-defeating and intellectually dishonest narrative that insists the 2027 presidential ticket must be zoned exclusively to the South.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, signed by Olusola Sanni, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the camp said while the ruling APC may understandably retain its southern presidential configuration around incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it would amount to political naivety for the opposition to adopt the same logic without a sober assessment of electoral realities.

The statement noted that politics must be driven by strategy, coalition-building, and hard electoral arithmetic—not emotional talking points or selective moral arguments.

“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president? Nigerian political history offers no precedent for such an outcome. No incumbent president has ever been defeated by an opposition challenger from the same geopolitical bloc. To insist otherwise is to enter the contest already defeated,” the statement said.

The Atiku camp further argued that the moral argument being advanced in favour of southern zoning collapses under scrutiny.

“By 2027, the South would have held presidential power for approximately 18 years in the Fourth Republic, compared to about 10 years for the North. If the South retains power for another four years, that disparity widens even further. It therefore becomes difficult to understand the justice in an argument that seeks to deepen an already existing imbalance under the guise of equity,” the statement added.

The statement also accused some political actors of selective memory and opportunism, particularly those who abandoned the zoning principle in 2011 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, only to now present it as a sacred political doctrine.

“It is intellectually dishonest for those who enthusiastically supported a Southern presidency under Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, despite the North’s legitimate expectation under the informal zoning arrangement, to now suddenly posture as custodians of rotational justice. Principles do not become sacred only when they align with personal ambition.”

While affirming that the Southeast’s aspiration to produce a president remains legitimate and deserving of serious national engagement, the statement warned against reducing that aspiration to what it called “transactional political bargaining.”

“The Southeast deserves a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership—not symbolic tokenism or bespoke arrangements tailored to satisfy one individual’s ambition,” it stated.

The statement concluded by urging the opposition to focus on building a credible national coalition capable of defeating the incumbent rather than embracing narratives that may inadvertently strengthen President Tinubu’s re-election prospects.

“Defeating an incumbent president requires realism, not romanticism; strategy, not sentiment; honesty, not selective memory. The opposition must decide whether its goal is to make an emotional statement or to actually win power.”

A prominent support group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State has thrown its weight behind Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and Senator Sani Musa, declaring them worthy of re-election for another term in office.

The group, under the aegis of the APC Grassroots Mobilization Network, made the endorsement during a strategic meeting held in Minna on Tuesday, citing the duo’s impressive performance, developmental strides, and commitment to the welfare of the people of Niger State.

In a communique signed by its Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, and Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed, the group highlighted Governor Bago’s transformative leadership since assuming office.

“Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has redefined governance in Niger State,” the communique stated.

“His administration has prioritized infrastructure development, agricultural revolution, education, healthcare, and security with visible results across the three senatorial districts.

“From massive road constructions and urban renewal projects in Minna and other major towns to the revitalization of agricultural value chains that have boosted food production and empowered farmers, Bago has delivered on his promises.”

The group specifically praised the governor’s efforts in attracting investments to the state, improving the ease of doing business, and his proactive approach to tackling insecurity through community engagement and enhanced collaboration with security agencies.

On Senator Sani Musa, who represents the Niger East Senatorial District, the APC group lauded his legislative contributions and constituency outreach programmes.

“Senator Sani Musa has been a strong voice for Niger State at the Red Chamber. His quality representation is evident in sponsored bills and motions that address critical national and state issues, as well as numerous empowerment and developmental projects executed across his constituency,” the statement added.

The group noted that Senator Musa’s consistent support for Governor Bago’s developmental agenda has created a harmonious working relationship that is benefiting the people.

They described the senator as a “reliable bridge” between the state and the federal government.

“Changing leadership now would amount to a setback. Governor Bago and Senator Sani Musa have laid a solid foundation. They deserve the opportunity to build upon it for the next four years.”

Oil mogul and philanthropist Tein T.S. Jack-Rich on Wednesday fired a warning shot at “new entrants” in the All Progressives Congress, vowing that legacy members who built the party will not be pushed aside, moments after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Rivers West Senatorial District seat on the APC platform.

“Today, I came to submit my form for expression of interest and nomination for the seat of Senate of Rivers West, Rivers State, because I am from Rivers State,” Jack-Rich told journalists in Abuja after filing his papers at the APC national secretariat. He said the move was driven by a long-standing commitment to the party and a desire to deliver “experienced and effective representation” for his people.

But the businessman quickly pivoted from his ambition to party politics, drawing a line in the sand over internal displacement. “What is important to the party is to continue to recognise and honour legacy members who have been there from inception, while also accommodating new entrants for growth,” he said. Balancing inclusiveness with loyalty, he added: “It is important to hold dearly your biological child while adopting new children. That balance must be maintained.”

Jack-Rich, who claims over 28 years in the oil industry, positioned himself as a foundation pillar of the APC. “I have been one of the key supporters of this party at both the state and national levels. I have supported governors, assembly members, representatives, senators and even presidents, and I will continue to do so,” he said.

His tone hardened as he recalled the party’s early struggles. “We were there when they called us names. I was there when they didn’t believe in us and when they tried to stop us,” he said. “Today that we have a president, some people are coming in hard and trying to push us out. We will not accept it.”

While welcoming the “influx of new members” as good for democratic expansion, Jack-Rich cautioned that it “should not come at the expense of those who built the party.” He added, “These new entrants are welcome, as it is good for the expansion of democracy, but they cannot take everything away.”

Despite the internal warnings, the Rivers-born aspirant struck an optimistic note on his chances. “I am happy to say I have submitted my form, and I am going to work hard for the primaries. I believe strongly that I will win the Senate seat. Rivers West will be great again,” he declared.

Jack-Rich also pitched his professional track record as legislative capital. “I have over 28 years of experience in the oil industry,” he noted, saying the expertise would be an “added advantage in legislative duties,” particularly on energy, Niger Delta development, and economic policy.

With his form now submitted, Jack-Rich enters a Rivers West race expected to test the APC’s ability to manage its old guard and new wave under one tent — a balance he insists the party cannot afford to get wrong.