Senator Ali Ndume has warned that the 2027 general election will be a fierce political contest, likening the impending battle to a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) showdown and urging President Bola Tinubu to confront the realities his administration faces.
Speaking during an appearance on Channel TV’s Sunday Politics, the senator representing Borno South acknowledged the growing momentum of opposition figures ahead of the next presidential election but said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not underestimate its challengers.
His remarks came after suggestions that leading opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, could form a formidable alliance against the APC in 2027.
Responding to the prospect of such a coalition, Ndume said he was not overly concerned but stressed that dismissing political opponents would be a costly mistake.
“The storm is coming, but I am not that worried about it. At the same time, I don’t take opponents for granted,” he said.
The lawmaker cautioned that some of those surrounding President Tinubu were failing to provide him with honest assessments of the country’s situation, arguing that leaders need accurate feedback to address public concerns effectively.
“I have said this several times on television. That is the mistake most of us are making, especially those around Mr President. They are having problems telling him the facts,” Ndume stated.
He predicted that the 2027 contest would be highly competitive, with all sides preparing for an intense political battle.
“We are going to struggle it out together. It can be hard like the WWE; it’s going to be a tough fight,” he said.
Ndume also acknowledged widespread public frustration over economic and social challenges but expressed confidence that the situation could still be improved if the government takes corrective measures.
According to him, while many Nigerians are unhappy with current conditions, there remains an opportunity for the administration to regain public confidence through decisive action and effective governance.
