2027: Why north will not vote for Peter Obi

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alwan Hassan has ruled out the possibility of the northern electorate supporting former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in the 2027 general elections.

Hassan declared that the north will not vote for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election because of his alleged involvement in the business of alcohol importation.

Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, Hassan questioned Obi’s appeal to the north, particularly pointing to cultural and religious values that he claims are at odds with the former Anambra governor’s business background.

He referenced Obi’s involvement in brewery investments, suggesting that such ventures may be frowned upon in northern Nigeria, where alcohol consumption is largely restricted due to Islamic beliefs.

Hassan besides trying to tar Peter Obi on account of alleged alcohol also went on to ask Nigerians to celebrate what he claimed as achievements of President Bola Tinubu in his two years in office.

“Peter Obi says he wants the borth to trust him, but he is also proudly promoting his role in building breweries and alcohol importation,” Hassan said. “We in the north won’t vote for someone whose business interests contradict our values.”

“We cannot hand over this country to people, to men that are being fed by their wives,” he stated.

Hassan argued that President Bola Tinubu remains politically unshakable ahead of the 2027 race, asserting that no viable challenger currently exists who can disrupt the president’s momentum. “Tell me, who can defeat Asiwaju come 2027?” he asked rhetorically. “Certainly not those boasting of economic achievements that don’t align with our moral compass.”

He cited the construction of ongoing cancer centres in the six geopolitical zones and the students’ loan programme which he said ought to be celebrated.

Hassan’s comments have sparked debate over the intersection of culture, religion, and leadership qualifications in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic democracy, highlighting the challenges any southern candidate may face in building a broad national coalition for future elections.