2027: Obi, Atiku Challenge Tinubu to Presidential Debate, Reject Proxy Campaigns
By Akin Alade
The political temperature ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election is rising rapidly as two prominent opposition figures, Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, intensify pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally defend his administration’s record before Nigerians.
Beyond the almost daily exchange of political attacks between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition camps, the latest challenge has shifted attention towards something potentially more consequential — a face-to-face presidential debate where candidates would be expected to explain their records, policies and plans for Nigeria.
Peter Obi’s media organisation has challenged Tinubu to move away from what it described as “proxy campaigns” and personally engage Nigerians as the country moves towards 2027. Atiku, meanwhile, has indicated that his participation in presidential debates would depend on Tinubu and the ruling APC also taking part.
Obi to Tinubu: Come Before Nigerians Yourself
The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), through its spokesman Idris Zekeri Jnr, argued that Nigerians deserve to hear directly from those seeking their votes rather than depending largely on governors, ministers, party officials and political surrogates to speak for them.
The group maintained that the 2027 presidential contest should focus on the records, policies, competence and character of those seeking to lead Africa’s most populous country.
For Obi’s camp, Tinubu, as an incumbent President seeking another mandate, should personally explain his economic policies and tell Nigerians what he believes has changed since taking office in 2023.
The challenge is particularly significant because the economy, insecurity, unemployment and cost of living are expected to dominate political conversations as the election approaches.
Obi has also recently said candidates should be prepared to defend their records and character while presenting clear plans for rebuilding Nigeria, with his campaign emphasising security, unity, economic growth and moving the country towards greater production.
Atiku Wants Tinubu at Presidential Debate
Atiku has equally raised the stakes.
Through his official spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, the former Vice President argued that presidential debates should provide opportunities for both the ruling party and opposition candidates to present their programmes before Nigerians.
His position is that debates involving opposition candidates without the incumbent or ruling party would fail to provide the kind of direct political confrontation required to properly scrutinise those seeking Nigeria’s highest office.
Atiku therefore made his participation conditional on Tinubu and the APC being represented in the presidential debate.
This could turn presidential debates into an important issue in the build-up to the election.
Nigerians Deserve Issue-Based Presidential Debate
A serious presidential debate involving the leading contenders could give Nigerians an opportunity to move beyond campaign slogans, political rallies and social media attacks.
Such an encounter would allow candidates to explain how they intend to address questions that directly affect ordinary citizens.
How will Nigeria reduce the cost of living? What are the plans for food security? How will terrorism, kidnapping and banditry be tackled? What will be done differently to create jobs, strengthen the naira, improve electricity and accelerate industrial development?
These are questions Nigerians deserve to hear candidates answer directly.
A presidential debate would also provide Tinubu with an opportunity to defend the reforms introduced by his administration and explain why Nigerians should entrust him with another four years.
At the same time, Obi and Atiku would have to demonstrate that their alternative policies are practical and capable of delivering better results.
APC Fires Back at Obi, Atiku
The ruling APC, however, is not allowing the opposition to dominate the political narrative.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka has accused Atiku, Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of political grandstanding, arguing that they have themselves been part of Nigeria’s political establishment and cannot completely distance themselves from the country’s longstanding problems.
That response indicates that the road to 2027 will likely involve intense scrutiny not only of Tinubu’s record as President but also of the previous records of his major challengers.
Atiku served as Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007, while Obi governed Anambra State. Their political and administrative records would therefore also become legitimate subjects of scrutiny during any presidential debate.
2027 Should Be Battle of Ideas, Not Personal Attacks
As campaigns gather momentum, Nigerians stand to benefit more from a contest centred on ideas than one dominated by insults, propaganda and personal attacks.
The electorate deserves to know precisely what each candidate intends to do differently.
A credible presidential debate featuring Tinubu and his major challengers could therefore become one of the defining moments of the 2027 campaign.
Rather than allowing spokespersons and political supporters to conduct the entire battle through television programmes, press statements and social media, bringing the leading candidates together would allow Nigerians to independently assess their preparedness, temperament, knowledge and vision.
The latest challenge from Obi and Atiku has consequently placed the ball in Tinubu’s court.
Whether the President eventually accepts such a debate remains to be seen. But one thing is increasingly clear: the opposition wants the 2027 presidential campaign to become a direct contest in which Tinubu personally defends his record while his challengers defend their alternatives before the Nigerian people.
