As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the political landscape is already witnessing realignments, strategic positioning and calculated brinkmanship among the country’s top politicians and power brokers.
At the centre of these manoeuvres are influential political actors whose decisions could significantly shape the trajectory of the race.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the central figure in the 2027 electoral cycle. After winning the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu is widely expected to seek a second term.
Although Nigeria’s constitution allows two terms, his administration has faced deep criticism over economic reforms, insecurity and governance challenges since 2023, all of which are shaping opposition narratives and influencing alliances ahead of 2027.
Within the APC, analysts assert that he has strategically placed allies across key sectors and regions to consolidate power heading into the next election. Critics argue these manoeuvres are aimed at undermining electoral competition and reinforcing incumbency advantage.
How he manages governance challenges and internal party dynamics will heavily influence voters’ perceptions and the broader political contest, especially as he has already been endorsed and adopted by APC leaders as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the election.
Kashim Shettima
Shettima’s role as a potential running mate in 2027 remains a significant talking point, as reports recently emerged that there were plans to replace him as Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 poll.
However, the Presidency had on April 19, 2025, formally denied reports claiming the vice president was being sidelined or denied access to the Presidential Villa, describing them as “deliberate falsehoods.”
While official sources have debunked claims about his potential removal or replacement, analysts say there is pressure to re-balance the ticket to reflect religious considerations.
Shettima, therefore, is expected to be one of the key figures to watch in the build up to 2027 and 2031 when power is expected to return to the North.
Read also: ADC accuses Tinubu government of selective justice in El-Rufai and Malami cases
Atiku Abubakar
He is widely seen as opposition strategist. Atiku, former Vice President is a serial presidential contender. After failing to unseat Tinubu in 2023, Atiku is widely expected to play a central role in the 2027 presidential race, this time with deeper coalition ambitions.
Many opposition leaders across multiple parties view him as a key figure capable of uniting disparate forces against the APC.
In mid-2025, Atiku joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside other major figures such as Peter Obi and former governors like Nasir El-Rufai, forming a broader platform to mount a coordinated challenge.
The coalition was intended to avoid repeat fragmentation seen in the 2023 election when opposition splits helped deliver victory to the APC. Atiku’s influence lies in his ability to attract and unify various political interests, including those frustrated with both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Peter Obi
Obi is seen as a reformist opposition leader. He was presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election and has remained a critical figure in the run-up to 2027.
Obi’s defection from LP to the ADC in late 2025 was widely interpreted as a strategic move to join a broader opposition coalition with a realistic shot at the presidency. His supporters argue that this unity could overcome the divides that weakened opposition forces in 2023.
However, Obi’s positioning has faced internal scepticism and external criticism, with some arguing that his strengths, personal integrity and appeal among youths and urban voters, do not necessarily translate into effective mobilisation across Nigeria’s vast and diverse electorate.
Rotimi Amaechi
Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State and ex-Minister of Transportation, is widely seen as a force that can’t be ignored in the build up to the 2027 elections.
His political career, including a previous bid for the APC presidential nomination in 2023, positions him as an experienced politician with strong regional support.
Amaechi had later dumped the APC and pitched a tent with the ADC where he declared that he would like to contest the 2027 presidency and do only one term.
Nasir El-Rufai
El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is seen as a kingmaker and tactical player ahead of the elections.
El-Rufai, had also dumped the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and later defected to the ADC. He remains a pivotal behind-the-scenes operator. El-Rufai relocated his political base and network into the opposition coalition framework, giving the alliance administrative and strategic depth.
Analysts are of the view that his presence in the ADC coalition underscores the complex inter-elite negotiations shaping 2027, where seasoned politicians seek to build multi-regional support against the incumbents.
Observers say El-Rufai’s importance lies in his ability to broker alliances, mobilise networks in key northern and central regions, and influence policy platforms within coalition structures. He had ruled out the possibility of contesting presidency in 2027.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Kwankwaso is former governor of Kano State and influential northern leader. He is frequently mentioned as a possible contender or kingmaker in northern political alignments.
Recent reports indicated that there were talks among opposition figures championed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for Kwankwaso to contest the 2027 vice presidency on a joint ticket with Peter Obi in the ADC.
Observers are of the view that his involvement could significantly affect coalition viability among northern voters.
Nyesom Wike
Wike is former governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He is regarded as a powerful political operator whose cross-party alliances, regional influence, and strategic endorsements could sway significant blocs of votes in 2027.
His open support for President Tinubu and his willingness to exploit opposition weaknesses make him both an asset to the ruling bloc and a pivot figure in national electoral arithmetic.
